UPDATE: Thursday, April 19, 2012

Officials from two Kansas health agencies have collaborated on changes in the way residents can dispose of unused or expired medications, preventing the drugs from accidental ingestion or flushing down the toilet.

Dr. Robert Moser, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said Thursday that changes in agency policy interpretation will allow for establishing medication collection centers.

The program is in conjunction with the Board of Pharmacy, as well as KDHE's Bureau of Hazardous Waste.

Moser said allowing pharmacies, law enforcement and household hazardous waste centers to collect and safely dispose of the medications will reduce the number of accidental poisonings of children. It also will prevent contamination of water supplies that can occur when the medications are flushed or poured into municipal sewer systems.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Two Kansas agencies have developed a program intended to make it easier for residents and long-term care facilities to safely throw out unwanted medications.

The Kansas Medication Disposal Program was created by the state pharmacy board and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Details were being announced Thursday morning at a Statehouse news conference. Several state lawmakers were scheduled to attend along with officials of KDHE and the pharmacy board.