Medication Safety

Your Health Matters. Your Safety Matters. You Matter

Did you know that drug overdose deaths have been the leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States since 2013?1 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 70% of the more than 67,000 drug overdose deaths in 2018 involved an opioid.2 But medication safety is about more than just opioid medications – it is for all medications. 

At D&W Fresh Market, we want you to have the information you need to effectively use, safely store, and properly dispose of unnecessary medications. The resources below are intended to guide you to important safety information from some our nation’s leading safety experts. It does not, however, serve to replace professional medical advice.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency – please call 911.

Where and How Do I dispose of Unused Medications? 

If you have questions about what to do with your unwanted, unused, or expired medications – please follow the link to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) webpage. This page covers the preferred method of a drug disposal and what to do if that option is not readily available to you. 

Where Can I Find More Information About Patient Safety for Myself and Those I Love?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Patient Safety page has several topics that may be of interest to you. From proper antibiotic use and vaccination safety to topics like safe medication storage, this page is full of helpful information.

What is an Opioid? 

Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain. Prescription opioids are opioids prescribed to help reduce moderate to severe pain. Even though these are prescribed by your healthcare professional, they may carry serious risks like opioid dependence, addiction, and even accidental overdose and death. 

What is an Opioid Overdose? 

Opioid use can cause dangerous reactions such as slowed or stopped breathing. An opioid overdose occurs when your body cannot process your opioid intake. For more details on opioids and risk factors for accidental opioid overdose, click here

If you believe that you or someone you love is experiencing an opioid overdose, call 911.

How Do I Use Naloxone?

If you or a loved one has naloxone, it is important to know how to use it in case of emergency. There are a few different ways to give naloxone and it is important to follow the instructions for the specific type you have.

I Need Naloxone. What Do I Do Next?

Talk to your D&W Fresh Market pharmacist today to see what options are available in your area. Not sure where your closest D&W Fresh Market pharmacy is?

 

 

  1. Olaisen RH, Rossen LM, Warner M, Anderson RN. Unintentional injury death rates in rural and urban areas: United States, 1999–2017. NCHS Data Brief, no 343. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2019.
  2. Wilson N, Kariisa M, Seth P, et al. Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths—United States, 2017-2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:290-297.