Twice a year, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Agency team up for National Take Back Day. These two events in April and October serve as an opportunity for people across the country to properly dispose of unused prescription medication. However, if you need to dispose of those medications during another time of the year, there are many locations in the listening area that can take those off your hands.

Guthrie County Hospital Director of Pharmacy Dr. DeeAnn Wedemeyer-Oleson talks about the different prescription drug drop-off locations. “Locally, there are four pharmacies that provide free drug disposal services. These include Medicap in Panora, Wright Pharmacy in Stuart, Dowd Drug in Guthrie Center, and Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center. Now it’s important to keep in mind that these locations accept medications for disposal at any time. So not just during the National Take Back Days. They are available any time those pharmacies are open.”

She adds that only Dowd Drug and the Guthrie County Hospital are legally allowed to dispose of opioid and other controlled substance prescriptions. Contact the hospital for more information.