Statewide Iowa — Hy-Vee, Inc. has announced that they will be installing drug take back receptacles in each of their 276 Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations throughout its eight-state region, including Sheldon, to provide customers a secure place to dispose of unused medications, including controlled substances, in an attempt to further assist in combating the national opioid epidemic. Hy-Vee says the receptacles will be installed in all of their locations by November 7th.
The availability of drug take back receptacles in all Hy-Vee pharmacies will provide customers with a safe and responsible way to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired drugs in communities throughout the Midwest and remove them from the environment, according to a press release from Hy-Vee.
“Installing drug take back receptacles in all of our pharmacies is one more step Hy-Vee is taking toward combating the opioid epidemic,” according to Kristin Williams, senior vice president and chief health officer at Hy-Vee.
In addition, Hy-Vee announces that, effective immediately, all Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations will limit the initial quantity of opioids prescribed for treatment of acute pain to seven days, or fewer days where state law or a third-party payor requires.
The new seven-day limit does not apply to chronic pain; pain being treated as a part of cancer care, hospice or other end-of-life care; pain being treated as part of palliative care practices; and medications used to treat opioid addiction, according to the release.
Williams says Hy-Vee wants to be part of the solution, while continuing to provide needed care for customers with acute pain and other severe pain management situations in communities throughout the eight states they serve.
