PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM 

DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Question: Can an individual return his/her controlled substance prescription medication to a pharmacy?
Answer: No. An individual patient may not return his/her unused controlled substance prescription medication to the pharmacy. Federal laws and regulations make no provisions for an individual to return the controlled substance prescription medication to a pharmacy for further dispensing or for disposal. There are no provisions in the Controlled Substances Act or Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)  registrant (i.e. retail pharmacy) to acquire controlled substances from a non-registrant (i.e. individual patient). The CFR does have a provision for an individual to return his/her unused controlled substance medication to the pharmacy in the event of the controlled substance being recalled or a dispensing error has occurred.

An individual may dispose of his/her own controlled substance medication without approval from DEA. Medications should be disposed of in such a manner that does not allow for the controlled substances to be easily retrieved. In situations where an individual has expired, a caregiver or hospice staff member may assist the family with the proper disposal of any unused controlled substance medications. Click for FDA Medication Disposal Guidelines

Guidelines for proper disposal of medication

• 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.
• Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back events that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal.  Save the date for April 28, 2012.