When the Newfoundland spring finally breaks through the “March Gales,” most of us start thinking about clearing out the garage or freshening up the house. But there is one area of the home that often gets overlooked during spring cleaning, and it’s the most important for your family’s safety: the medicine cabinet.

April is Medication Clean-Out Month in Canada, culminating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 25th. At Shorewell Pharmacy, we’re making it easier than ever for our neighbors in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, and the surrounding Avalon area to clear out the clutter safely.

Why “Just Throwing It Out” Isn’t Enough

It might be tempting to toss that half-finished bottle of antibiotics from last year into the kitchen trash or flush old pills down the toilet. However, improper disposal creates two major risks:

1. Environmental Impact on Our Coastline

When medications are flushed or sent to a landfill, they eventually leach into the soil and groundwater. For a coastal community like ours, this means trace amounts of pharmaceuticals can end up in our waterways, harming local fish populations and ecosystems.

2. The Risk of Accidental Ingestion

Old medications are a leading cause of accidental poisoning in children and pets. Additionally, keeping unused opioids or stimulants in the home can lead to “diversion”—where medications are taken by someone they weren’t prescribed for. Clearing out your cabinet is a simple way to help combat the substance use crisis right here in Newfoundland.

How to Do a 5-Minute “Medication Audit”

Before you head to the pharmacy, take five minutes to audit your supplies:

  • Check Expiry Dates: Medications lose their potency over time. If it’s past the date on the label, it’s time for it to go.

  • Look for Physical Changes: If pills are crumbling, discolored, or have a strange odor, they are no longer safe to use.

  • Identify “Leftovers”: Did you finish that pain medication from your dental surgery? If not, you don’t need to keep the “just in case” leftovers.

  • Don’t Forget the Basics: Check your creams, eye drops (which expire very quickly once opened), and even over-the-counter vitamins.

The Shorewell Solution: Easy, Safe, and Local

At Shorewell Pharmacy, we are committed to keeping St. John’s safe. You don’t need an appointment to dispose of your medications—simply bring them to our counter.

How it works:

  1. Collect your items: Gather all expired or unused prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, and natural health products.

  2. Protect your privacy: You can peel off the labels or black out your name with a marker if you prefer, though we ensure all collected materials are destroyed securely.

  3. Drop them off: Bring them to our pharmacists. We’ll take care of the rest, ensuring they are incinerated according to provincial environmental regulations.

Mark Your Calendar: April 25th

While we accept medications for disposal year-round, April 25th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. We are encouraging everyone on the Avalon to make this the day they finally clear out those old bottles.

Are you unsure if a medication is still safe to take? Bring it in! Our pharmacists are happy to review your current medications and help you decide what should stay and what should go.

Let’s keep our homes and our Newfoundland environment healthy. See you at Shorewell this April!