September 2020
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24, 2020
Our members look to you for guidance in matters concerning their health, so we need your help spreading the word on safe disposal of prescription medications. When you talk to your patients about prescription medications, we encourage you to discuss what to do with unused medications once treatment has concluded.
Take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Twice each year, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to offer a safe and convenient way to dispose of prescription drugs. Your patients may use the DEA’s search tool to find a nearby collection site. The next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24, 2020.
Know what medications may be discarded safely at home. Patients can visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) site for details on Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines. In addition to tips on safe disposal of fentanyl patches and inhalers, the FDA site also includes information on the Best Way to Get Rid of Used Needles and Other Sharps.
Look for Walgreens safe medication disposal kiosks. We are partnering with Walgreens to expand the availability of safe medication disposal kiosks at Walgreens stores throughout Illinois. The kiosks are available year-round during regular Walgreens pharmacy hours so that individuals may safely and conveniently dispose of their unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances and over-the-counter medications. There is no charge to drop off medications at the Walgreens safe medication disposal kiosks; however, some items may not be accepted, as noted below.
| What’s Accepted: | What’s Restricted: |
|
|
Your patients may check the Walgreens website to search for medication disposal locations or visit their local Walgreens pharmacy to see if the store is a participating site. Walgreens works with a DEA-authorized vendor to collect and safely dispose of all medications deposited in safe medication disposal kiosks at Walgreens pharmacies.
Safe medication disposal offers a preventive measure to help ensure medications are not accidently used, or intentionally misused, by someone other than the patient for whom the medication was originally prescribed. We appreciate your efforts to increase awareness among your patients and promote proper storage and disposal of prescription medications.
The above material is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. References to third party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organizations. Any questions regarding those organizations should be addressed to them directly. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.