August 9, 2017
The Senior – Return unwanted pills to avoid medication mix-ups
OLDER AUSTRALIANS are being urged to return unwanted medicines to the pharmacy, with thousands of seniors and children at risk of hospitalisation due to medical poisoning every year.
More than 1000 people aged over 65 required hospitalisation due to medicine poisonings across Australia in 2010. As well as older Australians, older medicines in homes also pose a health hazard for children, with more than 5000 ending up in hospital due to medicine poisoning every year, according to the Australian Poisons Information Centre.
A new awareness campaign has been launched by the Return Unwanted Medicines project – a Government-funded initiative that provides Australians with a free and convenient way to dispose of expired and unwanted household medicines.