Many people have outdated or unused medications in their medicine cabinet or elsewhere in their home.

Often, these old medications are being kept for future use or are simply forgotten after an illness passes.But keeping old and unused medications can lead to some serious problems. Taking medications after they expire may be ineffective, and may even be dangerous, because the chemical makeup and potency of drugs can change over time.Unused medications can also fall into the wrong hands and provide an easy source for those who may be seeking to abuse drugs.More than 15 million people aged 12 or older use prescription drugs nonmedically each year according to the 2013 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health.In addition, one in six teenagers have used a prescription drug to get high or change their mood, and 44 percent of teens have at least one friend who abuses prescription drugs, according to a recent report by the Medicine Abuse Project.And much younger children are being affected, too. A 2011 study by the Journal of Pediatrics reported a 30 percent increase in emergency room visits for children under the age of 5 due to medication poisoning for the period 2001 to 2008.Disposing of unused medications may help to decrease such occurrences. The methods that most people use, however flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash may pose safety, health and environmental hazards.What should you do with unused medications?In the past, you may have heard of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, a regular event coordinated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.These events were held each April and September, and helped to collect more than 4.8 million pounds of unwanted and expired medications.Certain provisions of the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, however, were enacted late last year to update and expand the options consumers have to safely and securely dispose of unwanted prescription medications on a more routine basis.This law allows certain DEA-registered locations such as narcotic treatment programs, retail pharmacies and hospitals or clinics with an on-site pharmacy to operate a collection receptacle for unwanted prescription drugs.Additionally, preprinted, preaddressed mail-back packages are available for consumers to return unused drugs to authorized program participants.Instead of the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day held just twice each year, these new collection programs are readily available options for properly disposing of unused or unwanted prescription drugs every day.Consumers can contact the DEA Office of Diversion Control's Registration Call Center at 800-882-9539 or online at

deadiversion.usdoj.gov for more information about participating in these new collection programs.Because Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania cares about the health and safety of its members, it offers a free health coach service through the Blue Health Solutions program.Health coaches can help members particularly those with chronic illnesses develop a plan to take medications regularly, helping to ensure that the right drugs are being taken at the right time for the best outcomes.Don't take chances with your expired medications. The Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act has created new opportunities to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs.Take advantage of these opportunities to help keep your home and your family safe.Kara Malitsky, Pharm.D., R.Ph., is the director of pharmacy at Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania.