New locations open across Twin Cities for disposal of unused medications
HealthPartners locations have collected 3,300 pounds of medication since 2011
MINNEAPOLIS, March 10, 2014 – HealthPartners started a medicine take-back program in 2011 to show a commitment to patient safety and sustainability. At the beginning of 2014, 12 new take-back locations were added across the organization, including locations at eight Park Nicollet Clinics, Methodist Hospital, HealthPartners Woodbury Clinic, Lakeview Hospital and Stillwater Medical Group. HealthPartners now has 24 total medicine take-back locations across the organization.
Each year, an estimated 250 million pounds of unused medicines are improperly disposed of, threatening our environment and overall health.
“We care about creating cleaner and healthier communities for our members and patients, and future generations,” said Scott Schnuckle, senior vice president, pharmacy and business development. “It definitely ties back to the safety of those we serve. We want to avoid accidental poisoning or abuse, plus make sure that medications don’t get in the ground and water supply.”
Since establishing a medicine take-back program in 2011, HealthPartners has taken back 3,300 pounds of medication in communities across the metro area and grown to 24 locations. For a full list and tips on disposing of your medicines, visit healthpartners.com/rxdisposal.
Take-back pharmacy locations, by law, are not able to take back controlled substances. More information is available at healthpartners.com/rxdisposal.
About HealthPartners
Founded in 1957, HealthPartners is the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation. It is dedicated to improving health and well-being in partnership with members, patients and the community. HealthPartners provides a full-range of health plan services including insurance, administration and health and well-being programs. It serves more than 1.4 million medical and dental health plan members nationwide, and is the top-ranked commercial plan in Minnesota. Its Medicare plan has the highest rating (five stars), which only 11 plans in the nation achieved in 2013. Since its combination with Park Nicollet in 2013, its care system includes more than 1,700 physicians; five hospitals; 52 primary care clinics; 22 urgent care locations; and numerous specialty practices in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. In addition, Stillwater Medical Group, part of the HealthPartners family of care, includes 80 physicians serving the St. Croix Valley region. HealthPartners Dental Group has more than 60 dentists and 21 dental clinics. HealthPartners also provides medical education and conducts research through its Institute of Education and Research.