Can You Donate Expired Medicine?

[enginerd]

I was cleaning my stockpile shelves today and found over 10 bottles of expired Robitussin (just a few months expired). I was going to donate to the soup kitchen near here or put some at the free table at the Salvation Army (grocery stores leave day old bread and people leave produce from their gardens here - I have left Sunny D there before and the other day I saw someone left jars of baby food). I am hesitating because these are expired and also because some contain dextromethoraphan which can be abused. Could there be a problem donating these? Should I just throw them away?

[nagrom13]

Would you take expired medicine? What makes you think even the homeless should use expired medicine. I know you are trying to do something nice but EXPIRED MEDS?????

TOSS THEM!

[enginerd]

As a matter of fact, I do take expired medicine. Check out this article regarding expiration dates on medication - most are good long past their expiration dates.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/460159

[tazzie]

As a matter of fact, I do take expired medicine. Check out this article regarding expiration dates on medication - most are good long past their expiration dates.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/460159

Read that article as well, so much is thrown out that can still be used. I say donate it and perhaps print out the article to show them the meds are indeed still good. And thanks for wanting to do something nice.

[Whispered]

I'd keep the meds, or give them out to friends/family/church, people who will use them.. or just drive by the homeless.. well can you do that?? hmm
handin out food/ shampoo baskets is one thing..

I agree, I haven't read that article, but to me, I know a lot of the expired meds are still good.. Think.. who profits the most from having an
expiration date.. hmmm ahh yes .. the Pharmacutical Companies..

I honestly, believe there won't be a cure for cancer anytime soon, bc the
Pharm. Co's would be out of business.. and ohh who does the a lot of the research for that.. hmmm..

I don't think a homeless org. could take them,.. bc of the silly suing laws, in effect, but sure call around, find out~

[cjpuppy]

I know what they say about expiration dates on the medicine. Alot of them are good well beyond the printed date. But I never want to chance it for my kids or for myself. That being said, my personal rule of thumb is, don't donate anything you would not use yourself.

[padmelupin]

I'd keep the meds, or give them out to friends/family/church, people who will use them.. or just drive by the homeless.. well can you do that?? hmm
handin out food/ shampoo baskets is one thing..

I like this idea. I use expired meds all the time, but I know at work we have to throw them out (I work for a non-profit mental health care org). It makes me sad at the waste. Calling is another good idea Whispered had!