The City of Knoxville and other local sponsors are hosting an Unwanted Medicines Collection, Used Mercury Thermometer Exchange and an "Ask-A-Pharmacist" event from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday, October 30th, at Knoxville Center Mall.
The events will be held on the 2nd floor landing at the mall in front of the Knoxville Police Department's East District Headquarters, which is located next to the JC Penney store and across from LensCrafters.
They offer an opportunity for residents to:
Turn in unwanted and outdated prescriptions and over the counter medicines
Turn in used mercury thermometers (for proper disposal) in return for a free digital thermometer – while supplies last
Schedule a consultation with a health care professional about medications and the possible drug interactions that could cause a fall or other reactions as part of the Ask-A-Pharmacist program.
To make an appointment for the October 30th event, or for more information, call the Knox County Health Department Senior Fall Prevention Program at (865) 215-5170. Walk-up consultations will also be available during the event. Residents can participate in one, two or all three programs
Members of the Knoxville Regional Medication Collection Program will be on hand to collect and properly dispose of the unwanted medicines and thermometers. The empty plastic containers for the medicines will be recycled.
The goal of the unwanted medicines collection is to prevent these pharmaceutical and over the counter products from getting into the water supply - or into the hands of children - and to make sure they are disposed of in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner.
It is part of an ongoing, nationwide effort to reduce the amount of drugs and over the counter products including drugs, fragrances, sunscreen products and nutritional supplements that are entering water systems from either being flushed or poured down drains.
Saturday's event is sponsored by the Knoxville Police Department, City and County Solid Waste Offices, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, UT Academy of Student Pharmacists, Hallsdale-Powell Utility District, the Metropolitan Drug Commission, AmeriChoice by United Healthcare, KUB, Chick-fil-A and the Knox County Health Department
Old medicines can also be brought to the Knoxville Police Department, located at 800 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, after the event where they can be deposited in a secure collection container located near the information desk for disposal.