Pitt, in collaboration with Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala, has installed two MedReturn boxes on campus to enable safer, more secure disposal of unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

Located at the Jerome Cochran Public Safety Building at 3412 Forbes Ave. and at the Student Pharmacy in Mark A. Nordenberg Hall along Fifth Ave., the boxes are secure, and drop offs can be made anonymously.

Besides helping to prevent prescription drug abuse, disposal of unwanted medications also keeps drugs out of landfills or from going down the drain, which keeps them from entering the water supply.

The boxes will accept: 

• Prescription and over-the-counter solid medications (tablets and capsules)
• Liquid medications
• Inhalers
• Creams ointments
• Nasal sprays
• Pet medications

The boxes will not accept:

• Intravenous solutions
• Injectables and needles 

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs site to find out more about drug take-back programs. You’ll also find resources to learn more about prescription drug abuse, as well as how to get help if you or someone you know requires support or treatment.