Skip to content

Penn State Health participates in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Penn State Health will provide locations to drop off unwanted, unneeded or expired medication for safe disposal on Saturday, Oct. 29, as part of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. People can drop off medications, needles and syringes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following drive-through locations:

  • Academic Support Building, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus, 90 Hope Drive, Hershey
  • Penn State Health Medical Group – Mount Joy, 201 Lefever Road, Mount Joy
  • Penn State Health Medical Group – Nyes Road, 121 N. Nyes Road, Harrisburg
  • Penn State Health Medical Group – Palmyra, 941 Park Drive, Palmyra

The event is in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Derry, Mount Joy Borough, Lower Paxton and North Londonderry township police departments. Similar events are happening across the U.S. on Saturday.

Last year, officials from the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center joined with the DEA to encourage Pennsylvanians to take part in the twice-a-year initiative.

“National Prescription Drug Take-Back events play a key role in collecting unwanted and expired medications, as well as used needles and syringes,” said Deborah Addo, Penn State Health executive vice president and chief operating officer. “By doing so, we’re keeping them out of the hands of children and others who could accidentally – or intentionally – harm themselves.”

Since fall of 2015, Penn State Health has participated in 12 National Prescription Drug Take-Back events. Those efforts have collected more than 5,000 pounds of unwanted and expired medications and 214 large sharps containers full of used needles and syringes.

In addition, Hershey Medical Center offers drug return boxes. They were made available in 2019 in partnership with the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office. People can use them during regular business hours at these three Hershey locations:

  • 30 Hope Drive, inside Entrance B
  • Penn State Cancer Institute, near the pharmacy by the main entrance

University Physician Center lobby, Door 4, near the pharmacy

If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email Penn State Health Marketing & Communications.