Rethinking disposal of unused prescription drugs

Consumers can dispose of unused or unwanted prescription medications at local pharmacies on April 25 as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Rx Take Back Day.

Most pharmacies will accept unused tables, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs. They will not accept liquids, needles or sharps, chemotherapy waste, inhalers or illegal drugs. The Fernandina Beach Police Department also participates in the Take Back Day.

Take Back Day, however, is typically under-utilized, with pharmacies and police stations collecting only a fraction of the unwanted or expired prescription medications most Americans hoard at home. Now, lawmakers, medical professionals and pharmaceutical industry leaders are stepping up efforts to address drug disposal issues. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration announced a public comment period to address possible new standards for disposal of opioids, a particularly vexing issue because of their high risk for abuse and addiction.

“Having unused opioids laying around at home can be a significant risk to those struggling with opioids and can be a gateway for opioid-naïve family members,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a recent news release. “We need to develop creative ways to address opioid misuse and abuse.”

Statistics surrounding home storage of unused or expired prescription medicine are eye-opening. According to DisposeRX, about 6 billion prescriptions are filled each year in the United States — and an estimated 2 billion are not used. People tend to save some medications, such as pain medications, anxiety medications and antibiotics, in case they need the medications in the future, experts say.

Unsecured medication, whether wanted or unwanted, poses danger. According to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, there are approximately 35,000 emergency department visits annually from unintentional overdose in children under 5 years old. Moreover, there are more than 450,000 calls to poison centers annually involving young children accidentally ingesting medication.

Unused opioid prescriptions are especially risky in homes with teens and young adults. According to a survey from The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, 1 in 4 kids has misused prescription drugs, most of them obtained at home.

What to do with unused medication

You don’t have to stockpile unused prescription drugs at home. Participate in Take Back Day, which is typically held twice a year — in the spring and fall.

Take unused drugs into your local pharmacy at any time. Most drug stores will accept the medication.

Look into prescription drug donation programs. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans say it’s difficult to afford medications, according to Kaiser Family Foundation. Donation isn’t always easy but start by contacting the Florida Department of Health Rx Connects Program. That program facilitates donation of select prescription drugs and supplies to eligible patients through repositories. https://www.floridahealth.gov/community-environmental-public-health/prescription-drug-donation-rx-connects/

You can also dispose of some medications at home, according to the FDA. Follow these tips:

• Check the medication label or patient information for any disposal instructions. 
• Flushing is not recommended in most cases because the drug may contaminate the water supply. Refer to the “flush list” on the FDA website for more information.
• Ask your pharmacists if they offer a free powder that can be mixed with water and prescription pills and then thrown in the trash. The DisposeRx packet costs about $1.50 per packet.
• Ask your pharmacists if they offer a “Seal and Send” envelope to return unused or unwanted Rx medication in a prepaid envelope via USPS.
• If all else fails, mix leftover medication with an undesirable substance, such as dirt, coffee grounds or cat litter. Put it in a sealable bag, can or container and dispose of it in the trash.  

“Prevention begins with solutions that are simple, accessible and affordable,” William Simpson, president and CEO of DisposeRx said in a news release. “When pharmacists provide patients with practical tools to safely dispose of medications at home, we can dramatically reduce the number of unused medications left in households and create an immediate opportunity to protect families and communities.”