Disposing of an Unused and Expired Prescription Drug

There are dozens of prescription drug disposal programs popping up around the country in an effort to encourage consumers to clean out their medicine cabinets. At least 20 states now have successful programs that help setup drop boxes or other disposal methods to get rid of an unused or expired Rx drug. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America notes that regulatory agencies have also established ways to safely dispose of prescription drugs in the household to avoid disposal costs.

Why Disposal of a Prescription Drug is Important

Many of these programs were started because of the rise of prescription drug overdoses. When people buy an Rx drug off the street, they usually come from home medicine cabinets. Taking a prescription drug that is not prescribed for a particular person can be very dangerous. Dosage requirements and varying active ingredients can have widely differing effects on individuals, and can increase the chance of an overdose substantially. Safely disposing of an unused or expired Rx drug reduces the chance of the drug reaching the wrong hands.

Rx Drug Disposal and Safe Handling

Many Rx drug disposal programs are concerned about flushed pharmaceuticals reaching drinking water supplies. In 2008, an Associated Press investigation found at least 46 million Americans are supplied drinking water that has tested positive for pharmaceuticals. The improper disposal of any prescription drug is beginning to be looked at as a possible threat to the environment. Researchers have also found evidence that even extremely diluted concentrations of Rx drug residues in the water can harm fish, frogs and many other aquatic species. Drug disposal programs are a safe, eco-friendly way to dispose of an unused or expired prescription drug.

In many states, there are significant amounts of meds that go unused, and for most locations there is still no safe and secure place to dispose of them. Some of the participating states with successful Rx drug disposal programs include; Utah, Maine, Washington and California. Contact your local pharmacy to locate a prescription drug disposal program near you.