The Health Products Stewardship Association (H.P.S.A.) is targeting expired or unused medications for aches and pains long forgotten.

A survey conducted by the H.P.S.A. shows 24% of Manitobans have unwanted or expired medications and of those who disposed of them 56% used their Take Back Program and returned them to their community pharmacy. 

However 32% admitted they threw medications in the garbage and 11% reported they disposed of them in a sink or toilet which means more work needs to be done to keep these products out of landfills and local water sources.

The H.P.S.A. says the service is free and returning medication to a pharmacy ensures these products are disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly way.

They report last year 15 tonnes of expired or unused medications were collected and safely disposed of through the Manitoba Medications Return Program.

In Thompson, medication can be returned to Shoppers Drug Mart, the Wal-Mart Pharmacy, and the Safeway Pharmacy.