This New Year, make it your resolution to return your meds!

VANCOUVER, Jan. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - The BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) and the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) are joining forces to remind the public that unused or expired medications can be returned to their local pharmacy.

Unused medications can pose a significant health, safety and environmental hazard when improperly stored or disposed of. British Columbians can return expired or unused medications to pharmacies across the province at no cost. The BCPhA and CVRD campaign to raise awareness of these issues involves more than a dozen pharmacies in Courtenay and Comox.

Parkash Ragsdale, Deputy CEO of BCPhA, said, "Medications that are flushed down the drain or tossed in the garbage can pose a serious threat to our environment, children and pets.  As we begin 2012, we're encouraging the public to make it their resolution to return their unused medications to their pharmacy."

"The CVRD encourages everyone to return expired or unused medications to their local pharmacy to help protect our environment," said Tom Boatman, manager of solid waste for the Comox Valley Regional District. "The BC Recycling Hotline can be contacted at 1-800-667-4321 or www.rcbc.bc.ca for the most up-to-date drop-off recycling information."

Further information about returning unused medications to pharmacies can be found at www.medicationsreturn.ca.

The British Columbia Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) is a not-for-profit, voluntary, professional association of pharmacists and pharmacies. It represents more than 2,600 pharmacists and 800 pharmacies throughout British Columbia.

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The CVRD covers an area of just over 1,725 square kilometres (666 square miles) and serves a population of 58,824 according to the 2006 Census. Our borders extend from Cook Creek in the south to the Oyster River in the north, west to Strathcona Park, and east to take in Denman and Hornby Islands.

To interview a pharmacist in the CVRD, please contact Elise Riedlinger, BCPhA: 604.269.2866 / [email protected]

Leigh Carter, CVRD: 250.334.6063 / [email protected]