The 10th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is taking place on Saturday, September 26 from 10 am to 2 pm local time in every state. If you live in Pennsylvania or Delaware, the event will be taking place at that time Saturday September 12. The sites will be set up throughout communities nationwide so that local residents can return their unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal. The past 9 take-back events led to the collection of 2411 tons of drugs.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many patients are not aware that the medicines in their cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are at alarming levels, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses caused by these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage—both potential safety and health hazards.
This National Prescription Drug Take-Back event is a great opportunity to educate your patients about prescription drugs and their safe disposal. For more information about collection sites, visit the US Drug Enforcement Administration website.
US Drug Enforcement Administration. DEA announces 10th national prescription drug take-back. www.dea.gov/divisions/hq/2015/hq072815.shtml. Published July 28, 2015. Accessed August 26, 2015.