TTUHSC to host 2025 Spring Medication Cleanout on Saturday

LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) - As you begin your spring cleaning, don’t forget to check your medicine cabinet.

The Texas Panhandle Poison Center (TPPC), managed by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, is hosting Lubbock’s annual Spring Medication Cleanout™ from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, at the Texas Tech Physicians Medical Pavilion, 3601 Fourth St.

This free drive-thru event offers a convenient way for community members to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications without leaving their vehicles. Medications should be left in their original containers for easy drop-off. Additionally, the event provides a safe disposal service for syringes and sharps.

Ronica Farrar, a specialist in community outreach for the Texas Panhandle Poison Center (TPPC), underscores the importance of properly discarding unused medications to prevent potential poisonings and misuse.

“Stored medications that are no longer needed create risks for poisoning and misuse. Medication Cleanout events give people a safe, convenient and free alternative to storing unneeded medicines,” she said.

Medication disposal is crucial in preventing accidental poisonings. In Texas, poisonings rank just below motor vehicle accidents as a leading cause of death from unintentional injuries. Unused medications can pose serious risks to children, teens and adults alike.

Beyond household safety, proper disposal also protects the environment. Flushing medications down the toilet or discarding them in the trash can contaminate water supplies and harm wildlife. The Medication Cleanout™ event provides a responsible and eco-friendly alternative.

These events depend on a dedicated network of volunteers, including healthcare professionals, students and community members. Volunteers play a key role in educating participants, managing logistics and ensuring the proper handling of medications.

For more information, visit https://www.medicationcleanout.com/