Pharmacies are prohibited by federal Drug Enforcement Agency rules from
accepting unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs.
Here are some suggestions from the Office of National Drug Control policy.
Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their
original containers and throw them in the trash. Mixing prescription drugs
with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter,
and putting them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans
or sealable bags, will further ensure the drugs are not diverted.
Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the label or
accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so. See below
for medications that can be flushed.
Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programs that allow
the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal.
Your local health department may know if a program is being scheduled in
your community. And Aurora offers them from time to time. Some communities
have pharmaceutical take-back programs or community solid-waste programs
that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper
disposal. Where these exist, they are a good way to dispose of unused
pharmaceuticals.
Always refer to printed material accompanying your medication for specific
instructions.
