2024-02-11 05:00:11
There are decisions that change life and health. One of them, that of verify or not the expiration date of the drugs that are used. Read regarding the dangers of not checking to see if they are regarding to expire and how to finally dispose of the ones you are no longer going to use.
Juan David Cadavid Rendón, pharmaceutical chemist assigned to the Territorial Health Directorate of Caldas (DTSC), and Juan Camilo Pinzón Ramírez, Operations Manager of the Punto Azul Corporation, commented on this matter.
Keep in mind
Cadavid differentiated, in general terms, the pharmaceutical products that are commonly consumed. He said that There are medicines of natural origin and other chemicals. The first are more concentrated. Likewise, you have to be cautious with both.
“Any of these products should not be disposed of outdoors or in the trash, nor in the sink or in the toilet, because then they will end up in nature and will affect resources such as water and forests,” he expressed.
The professional explained that, If they are left in the trash, there are people who can take them and that becomes a source of illegality. They can be altered in their expiration date, in order to take economic advantage of their sale.
“Likewise, with that alteration, it can be donated, given away, which also brings health risks. Punto Azul is a non-profit entity that has dedicated itself to placing containers in strategic places, so that people can dispose of these products there,” said the chemist.
It was known that they are containers with a safety mechanism that allows the products to be thrown away, but not removed. This guarantees the community thator that is deposited there can only be taken by the entity that supports the strategy.
“Medicines must be disposed of separately from common waste. They cannot be put in the containers with the rest of the things. They are dangerous waste. The collection carried out by these entities is free,” warned the local professional.
Cadavid explained that, When a drug is expired, its active ingredient loses effectiveness and it becomes something toxic that even compromises life. People might die from taking them following the suggested date.
“From there there is a colonization of bacteria to the product, which contaminate it and make it unfit. Syrups that need refrigeration, for example, cannot be left out of the refrigerator for a long time following the current dose has been administered,” he commented.
Cadavid, in charge of the DTSC medication area, urged the community to adhere to manufacturers’ recommendationsto have a better result of the products.
“Those who administered with a dropper “They should not make contact with structures such as the mouth and/or teeth to avoid contamination,” he added.
The expert also called on pharmacists and it is the same as always Check expiration date before dispensing the product. He asked to have the available units well stored and clean. Everything serves to avoid bad ratings and sanctions from the body you represent.
Of the final disposition
Pinzón, meanwhile, spoke regarding the project it represents: “We are in charge of the correct disposition of medications and its packaging in post-consumer. These are those completely or partially ingested and those damaged.”
This entity, with 13 years of experience in this regard, has at least 2,300 points installed in 29 departments, including San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
“We want avoid impacts on people and the environment. We wait for those drugs forgotten in medicine cabinets and drawers at home. We are referring to the balances that remain following the treatments,” explained Pinzón.
LA PATRIA learned that what was collected is removed from the containers in a special way, because – as said – it is risky material. To this Only designated officials have access.
“All waste is taken to a incineration process, a thermal destruction process. They have the environmental licenses to carry it out,” explained the expert.
Pinzón said that his entity works hand in hand with the Manizales Environment Secretariat. That alliance ended with the creation of Clean Points in shopping centers for said collection.
“We have collectedin the last weeks, 1,500 kilograms of this waste. That’s like imagining 1,500 bags of rice in size. In Colombia, during 2023, we collected regarding 300 tons of post-consumer medications,” she explained.
When they are not used and have not expired
Juan David Cadavid Rendón, pharmaceutical chemist at the Territorial Health Directorate of Caldas, said that people should not give away used products without paying to churches or community organizations, since the end consumer does not know if the person who gave it stored it correctly. Situations of this type must be monitored to avoid major problems.
Correct storage
The pharmaceutical chemist Juan David Cadavid Rendón said, regarding drugs:
- They must be kept in dry places, away from humidity.
- There cannot be a direct and permanent light source on them.
- They must be kept out of the reach of children. These are not toys.
- Pets should not have them around either. Their intake might also affect them.
- Read the specific instructions on each package, as there are medications that require refrigeration and others that cannot exceed certain temperatures.
- If you have stocks of products, consume those with the earliest expiration first.
- Medications must be purchased in known and/or authorized places.
report it
If they sell you expired or damaged medications, report them to the Territorial Health Directorate of Caldas. The complaint can be anonymous and will end in an inspection visit to the indicated site:
- Mail: [email protected]
- Website: www.saluddecaldas.gov.co
Punto Azul specified that a study by the National Institute of Health (INS) in the Public Health Surveillance System revealed that – between 2007 and 2017 – 99,600 poisonings associated with medications were recorded in the country. In 2017 alone, there were 13,372 drug poisonings. There were 29 deaths.
Photo | Freddy Arango | HOMELAND
Be attentive to the places arranged in shopping centers, follow the recommendations. The image, in Founders. The waste sites are not only blue, there are also green ones, belonging to other companies.
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#wellbeing #expire #expired #medications
