Disposal Of Meds

Question 1

The FDA and the DEA issue guidelines for appropriate disposal prescription drugs based on the Secure and Responsible Disposal Act issued by Congress in 2010.

Answer 1

This encourages both public and private entities to develop secure, convenient, and responsible methods for collecting and and destroying medications and controlled substances. It also recommends a decrease in the amount of controlled substances released into the environment, especially into water and sewage systems.

Question 2

General Guidelines for disposing meds for facilities include:

Answer 2

-drug take back events
-mail back programs
-collection receptacles provided by authorized DEA collection companies for facilities to dispose of unwanted controlled substances.

Facilities may contract with an independent or local collection program authorized by the state and the DEA to dispose of medical waste and hazardous materials. The drugs are disposed of in a receptacle that must comply with strict security and record keeping requirements as established by the FDA and DEA. The company then incinerates the waste.

Question 3

General Guidelines for disposing meds for consumers:

Answer 3

Consumers who do not have available DEA authorized collectors or medicine take- back programs can follow these steps:

1) Remove medications from the original packaging and mix them (do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, kitty litter, or used coffee grounds. This method is intended to make medications less attractive to people and animals.

2) Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag.

3) Throw the container in the household trash.

4) Scratch out all personal information on the prescription label before disposing of the empty container.