Locations:
SearchThe health systems will collect unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic will partner to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 25 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at more than a dozen locations across Northeast Ohio.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is held twice each year, bringing communities nationwide together to offer secure drop‑off locations for expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications and other drugs. Proper medication disposal helps reduce the risk of accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose.
“Unused prescription medications in our homes can become a gateway to misuse, often among family members or friends,” said Michael Carlin, Pharm.D., MBA, Vice President of Hospital Pharmacy Operations at University Hospitals. “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day makes it easy for everyone to act. Safely disposing of unused medications can play a meaningful role in preventing addiction and saving lives.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a nearly 27% reduction in predicted drug overdose deaths in 2024 compared to the year prior. Despite encouraging progress, overdose is still a leading cause of death for people between the ages of 18 and 44.
“Drug Take Back Day is an important reminder for individuals to take action by reviewing their medicine cabinets and safely disposing of unused medications,” said Lindsey Amerine, Pharm.D., Chief Pharmacy Officer at Cleveland Clinic. “We’re proud to partner with University Hospitals, and to make this service accessible in order to help reduce the risk of medication misuse in our community.”
Since the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in the fall of 2010, more than 20.3 million pounds (10,196 tons) of prescription drugs have been collected by the DEA.
“Through our continued partnership with Cleveland Clinic, we’re making it simpler and safer for individuals to get rid of unused medications,” said Jeanne Lackamp, MD, Chair, Department of Psychiatry at UH Cleveland Medical Center and Director, Behavioral Health Institute at University Hospitals Health System. “Together, we have an opportunity to make a real impact in preventing substance misuse.”
Select University Hospitals locations including UH Ahuja, UH Lake West, UH Portage, and UH TriPoint medical centers will provide no-cost health screenings during this event. All participating UH locations will offer free Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Collection Locations:
· Click here for information about University Hospitals locations and hours
· Click here for information about Cleveland Clinic locations and hours
University Hospitals: Maia Belay-Roberts, Maia.Belay-Roberts@UHhospitals.org
Cleveland Clinic: Jenna Ramolt, Ramoltj@ccf.org
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 82,600 employees worldwide are more than 5,786 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,700 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,728-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 280 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2024, there were 15.7 million outpatient encounters, 333,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 320,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 112 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of more than 20 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University, Taiwan National University College of Medicine and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including “America’s Best Hospitals” from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.
