Cardinal Health encourages public National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day participation

DUBLIN, Ohio — The Cardinal Health Foundation issued a statement encouraging the public to participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, aims to help prevent medication abuse and theft by providing a safe, easy and anonymous way of getting unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs out of the home.

"Proper medication disposal is one of the simplest and most effective ways for anyone to fight the epidemic of prescription drug misuse," said Betsy Walker, director of Community Relations at Cardinal Health and co-director of Generation Rx, an initiative from the Cardinal Health Foundation and The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy that fights prescription drug misuse through prevention education.

Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. In support of take-back days and prevention education, the Cardinal Health Foundation awarded nearly $900,000 through Generation Rx grants last year. The Foundation's Medication Disposal Grant Program helps nonprofit organizations build or expand existing disposal programs to educate communities about safe medication practices that help reduce prescription drug misuse.

"As highly respected healthcare providers in their communities, pharmacists play a powerful role in fighting prescription drug misuse," Steve Lawrence, senior vice president of Independent Sales at Cardinal Health and executive sponsor of Generation Rx said. "And we know it's critical to engage young people. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says that youth who learn about the risks of prescription drug misuse are up to 50% less likely to ever misuse them."