THE FACULTY of Pharmacy launched its first medication take back program titled “Recipio” which aims to retrieve unused, unwanted and expired (UUE) medicines from Thomasian households.
Initiated by Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Aleth Therese Dacanay, the project seeks to primarily promote the proper disposal of UUE drugs to minimize pharmaceutical pollution in the waterways and to prevent accidental ingestion and poisoning.
“UUE is harmful. They become toxic and harmful. Anything that we take which is not indicated or prescribed based on our diagnosis is very harmful,” Dacanay told the Varsitarian.
She stressed that pharmaceutical wastes should be disposed properly in trash bins since it may contribute in harming the environment by contaminating the sewage system aside from posing health risks.
She highlighted that the increasing amount of UUE medications in homes is a growing global concern that people all should be aware of.
“We wanted to start from UST. That’s why we will be launching the medication take back program… [W]e are now orienting people about its use, implications, hazards, and of course its benefit when we do the right thing in the disposal,” she added.
She also stressed out that 600,000 children are poisoned by over the counter medications every year; 80% of water sampled by scientists have been found to have pharmaceutical compounds.
With the theme, “Medication, Stewardship Beyond Prescriptions,” Dacanay pointed out that the project is not just a way for pharmacists to practice their profession but also an opportunity to offer service to community.
“Pharmacists have been known to only be working on prescriptions in the dispensing counter, but, what do we do next? Nakita namin [yung project] in a holistic manner…[I]t is impacting the lives of the people. We are saving lives and saving the environment,” she said.
Recipio is the first mediation take back program to be launched officially in the Philippines through to the collaboration of active faculty and students of the Faculty and Pharmacy. Jade Veronique V. Yap with reports from Ma. Alena O. Castillo.
