SAFE DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
You should dispose of any unused or expired prescription medicine as soon as possible. Timely disposal of prescription medicine can reduce the risk of others taking the medication accidentally or misusing the medication intentionally.
HOW CAN I PREVENT ERRORS?
The best and most environmentally friendly way to dispose of your prescription medicine is through a drug take-back program. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) periodically provides drug disposal sites in communities across the nation. The DEA also has permanent drug disposal sites in certain pharmacies or hospitals.
AT-HOME DRUG DEACTIVATION SYSTEM
Destroy unused medications quickly and easily at home with Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal Pouches. Deterra Pouches are proven to destroy unwanted and expired medications safely and permanently, making them unavailable for misuse, theft or accidental ingestion. Deterra’s plant-based pouches prevent harmful drugs from entering our landfills and water systems, making the world safer for everyone.
DETERRA DESTROYS UNUSED MEDICATION IN 3 EASY STEPS
The patented Deterra® System deactivates prescription drugs, pills, patches, liquids, creams and films. Deterra renders them inert, unavailable for misuse and safe for the environment. In a simple 3-step process, a user deactivates the drugs by putting them in a Deterra pouch or container, adding water, shaking and throwing it away. It’s truly that simple.
REQUEST FREE NARCAN & DETERRA
You can request free Narcan and Deterra by scanning the QR code or visiting the link belowand filling out the survey.
OTHER WAYS TO DISPOSE OF MEDICATIONS
Local Sheriff and Police Departments
If your prescriptions contain narcotics or other controlled substances, contact your local Sheriff’s office and/or police department to find out if they will accept unwanted prescription narcotics. Some law enforcement offices will accept non-controlled substances too, but you should be sure exactly what yours will accept before dropping off items.
Mail-Back Programs
You can participate in mail-back programs for unused medications. Check with your doctor, pharmacy, or local police station to see if they offer mail-back packages. Legitimate packages should include pre-paid postage, unique ID numbers, and be pre-addressed to a location authorized by the DEA. Avoid leaving packages in unsecured mailboxes.
If you would like to offer mail-back programs through your office, or for more information on mail-back programs, refer to legal requirements found on the DEA website.
DISPOSAL OF SHARPS
For Collectors
- Learn how to safely dispose of unwanted prescriptions and medications.
- Ensure you have signage directing the public where to drop off their sharps or to have a separate sharps box. Do not have the public drop sharps in the permanent drop box with other medicines.
- Have a large sharps container on hand in case someone brings sharps in container that does not meet required standards.
- Acceptable: thick-walled plastic bottles with screw on caps or commercial sharps containers.
- Not acceptable: bags, milk jugs, or coffee cans.
- Have tongs handy in case there is a spill and you need to pick up syringes to put them in the larger container.
- Law enforcement agencies could work with a mail back program or hire an infectious waste hauler to dispose of sharps.
For the Public
- Learn how to safely dispose of unwanted prescriptions and medications.
- Learn the proper way to disposal of needles and syringes from your house.
- Check with your local police department, hospital, healthcare facility, pharmacy or health department to see if they will accept sharps.
- Refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s list of ways to dispose of used needles and sharps.
- For more information specific to your state, call Safe Needle Disposal at 1-800-643-1643 or email [email protected].
