By Patricia Prewitt
My Personal Rx Adviser

Have you ever wondered what to do with unused or no longer needed prescriptions?
I recently had a family member pass away, and along with grieving, there are the practical tasks of “What do we do with …?” Safe medication disposal was clearly a task on our list.
First, notify the medical providers and cancel any upcoming appointments to avoid no-show charges. It was an unexpected blessing when a longtime cardiologist reached back with a personal phone call. Notify any pharmacies that fill prescriptions to avoid auto-refill charges.
Now, what to do with all these prescriptions? Both the Food and Drug Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration provide guidance for the safe disposal of medications. In general, instructions for disposal of specific prescriptions are found in printed package inserts included with the Rx at pickup.
Find Drug Take-Back Programs: The DEA sponsors two National Drug Take Back Days in April and October. The program began in 2010 initially as a response to the opioid crisis. Since its inception, more than 9,600 tons of products have been collected at more than 5,000 sites across the USA.
In Massachusetts, these safe recycling repositories are often located at local police stations and in pharmacies or clinics. To find a location, check www.dea.gov/takebackday.
What about simply throwing out medications? Almost all medications, except those on the FDA Flush List can be thrown out in household trash. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Scratch out all personal information on the packaging to protect privacy. Throw the packaging away.
Step 2: Mix the drugs with something undesirable like cat litter, coffee grounds, or dirt. This makes the medication less appealing to pets or children, or anyone who might be searching through trash for drugs.
Step 3: Put the mixture in a zip-lock bag or container with a lid to prevent the mix from spilling and throw it away.
Wait. What’s the FDA Flush List? Opioids and fentanyl pain patches have a high potential for misuse and abuse. Takeback programs are preferred, but if not available, these products should be flushed to avoid the risk of misuse, accidental death, or overdose. Read more at www.fda.gov.
What about asthma inhalers? Inhalers are pressurized and should not be thrown away in the regular trash. Check with your local pharmacy about safe disposal options. Some pharmacies allow you to simply return the old inhaler when picking up the new one.
Towns and cities may have their own guidelines for the disposal of medications.
Are there any unique ways to reuse expensive medications? ReMediChain, based in Memphis, has a unique program for reuse of certain cancer medications. This non-profit seeks to match unopened, unexpired medications with cancer patients who need the therapies. The program was created by a team of pharmacists frustrated by lack of affordability for patients, medication waste, and environmental impact.
As you might imagine, this is a complicated endeavor, regulated by state and federal laws. Massachusetts Bill 1208 may allow our state to participate in the future. Read more about ReMediChain or find out how to donate unused medications at https://donatemymeds.org.

Content provided is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional. The opinions expressed within are those of the author.

About the Author: Patricia Prewitt is a local Massachusetts resident who spent more than 30 years in  the pharmaceutical industry. Tricia is a consumer education advocate, and loves helping people find ways to save money on their prescriptions. More information and free resources are available on her website at https://mypersonalrxadvisor.com/resources or call her at 508-507-8840. Favorite Quote: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James