Safe Medication and Sharps Disposal Event
April 1, 2025
Safe Medication and Sharps Disposal
Date: April 1, 2025
Location: Ingalls Mall E Washington St. – across from Rackham Auditorium
Event Information:
The Safe Medication Disposal Event is held by the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, during which unused and expired medications are collected for environmentally safe disposal. Students have collected almost two tons of medication, keeping potentially harmful substances out of our water, landfills, and the wrong hands. We now accept sharps and sharps containers. The event will be held at two locations simultaneously.
Accepted Items
- Prescription & OTC Medications
- Medication samples
- Vitamins
- Ointments & lotions
- Inhalers
- Antibiotics, steroids, veterinary medicine
- Controlled medications
- Sharps and sharps containers
Unaccepted Items
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Cosmetics
- Hair care products
- Personal hygiene products
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Rubbing alcohol
- Aerosol cans
- Blood or infectious waste
- Tobacco
- Cancer Medication Donation (Unused and unopened cancer medications can be donated and provided to someone in need year-round, thanks to the YesRx network. Learn more about the YesRx network by clicking here.)
Can’t make it? Consider these options.
Many of our local community pharmacies offer disposal kiosks, where individual can bring unwanted, unused, or expired medications for drop off. Talk to your community pharmacist about what is accepted at their location.
Sometimes getting to the pharmacy can be a challenge. There are in-home medication disposal options available such as DisposeRx and Deterra. These options both safely deactivate drugs, allowing individuals to safely throw away medications without future environmental contamination.
Other Events:
Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) holds a medication disposal event each year in conjunction with the MPA and Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council (PAC) Pharmacy Day at the Capitol event. The public is invited to safely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications, including controlled substances.
National DEA Drug Take Back Day, Typically the last Saturday in October and April
Upcoming Events
November, 2026
Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Series: Grace Xia
U-M College of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Series
Department: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Speaker: Grace Xia
Advisor/Host:
Title: TBA
*Event information is subject to change. Please refer to the PharmSci Seminar schedule for additional details, such as time and location, as they are finalized for each event.
November, 2026
Women’s Basketball vs. UConn – Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic
Women’s Basketball vs. UConn Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic
Sponsored by the College of Pharmacy
Don’t Miss Your Shot!
When: 11/05/26 – Women’s Basketball vs. UConn
Up to 60 minutes before the game starts through the first quarter
Where: Crisler Center | Concourse by the Guest Services Desk in the Hall of Honor
Restrictions: Ages 3 and older
Entry: Ticket(s) to the […]
November, 2026
U-M College of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry Seminar Series: 16th Annual Topliss Lecture
U-M College of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry Seminar Series: 16th Annual Topliss Lecture
Department: Medicinal Chemistry, Sponsored by the John Topliss Award Lecture Fund
Speaker: Blaise Lippa, Ph.D.
Title: From Michigan graduate to biotech and back again; the story of Morphic Therapeutic, lessons in drug discovery and how to build a successful biotech
Event Description: The 16th Annual Topliss Award […]