Disposing of Unused Controlled Substances: DEA Expands Prescription Drug Take-Back

In early October, disposing of unused medications, including controlled substances, will likely get much easier as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is expanding the options to collect medications with the hopes that the rule expansion will discourage individuals from simply flushing drugs down the toilet, throwing drugs away or leaving drugs in medicine cabinets.

With the expansion of Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (The Disposal Act), consumers will now be allowed to drop off unwanted medications, including controlled substances, at authorized pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities and police stations that maintain collection receptacles. The new rule also allows people to mail back unused medications.

Specifically, the new regulations:

• Allow authorized pharmacies; hospitals and clinics with on-site pharmacies; manufacturers; distributors; reverse distributors; and narcotic treatment programs to place collection receptacles inside their establishments and to permit people to mail back unwanted controlled medications;
• Expand the authority of authorized pharmacies and hospitals to place collection receptacles inside long-term care facilities; and
• Allow law enforcement agencies to place collection receptacles inside their stations, conduct drug take-back events and administer mail-back programs.

Registrants interested in collecting controlled substances will need to become authorized by the DEA, though it remains to be seen how many pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics will initially participate in the program because historically pharmacies have not been allowed to legally take medications back and some pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens already participate in drug take-back programs and work closely with local police departments and the DEA. More to come as the information is available.