Educate patients about how to safely dispose of unused drugs year-round

Prescription drug takeback days are often widely publicized, but many patients are unsure of how to dispose of unused pills at other times of the year. Unused pills in the home, especially opioids, can be dangerous or even deadly.

Your patients can find a disposal site in their local community through the Drug Enforcement Agency or Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, called Michigan-OPEN. Both websites include a ZIP code locator to find a location nearby that provides a safe, convenient and anonymous way to dispose of medications year-round.

If no medication takeback program or facility is available for your patients, they can follow some simple steps from the Food and Drug Administration to dispose of most medications in their home as a last resort. However, the ideal way to dispose of unused drugs is to participate in a takeback event, such as National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, or take them to a drug disposal facility.

“It can be tempting for patients to keep unused pills on hand for future use, but they can easily get into the wrong hands of a curious teen or someone already addicted,” said Jody Gembarski. Pharm.D., a clinical pharmacy manager with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “More than three out of four people who misuse prescriptions use drugs that are prescribed to friends and family.”

Remind your patients that while medications play an important role in treating many health conditions, it’s important to dispose of them properly to avoid harm to others when they’re no longer needed.