Remember to always follow specific disposal instructions on the drug label or patient information that accompany the medication. This information can also be found on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website at www.fda.gov.
Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet. This should only be done if the accompanying patient information says that it is safe to do so.
You may call your pharmacist or pharmacy to get information on the best way to dispose of a particular drug or medication. Generally, if no instructions are given, you may throw the drugs in the household trash, but first — follow the simple bulleted steps on the “How to properly and safely dispose of medications” guidelines below.
- Take unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers.
- Mix the prescription drugs with an undesirable substance like coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in solid, nondescript containers such as empty cans or sealable bags. This ensures that the drugs are not diverted or accidentally ingested by children or pets.
- Throw these containers in the trash.
- Wrap blister packs in multiple layers of duct tape before throwing them away.
- A growing number of community-based “take back” programs offer a safe disposal alternative. Call your city or county government household trash and recycling service and ask if a drug ”take back” program is available or ask your local pharmacy about these programs. Also, the State of Michigan website has a page on drug disposal locations: www.michigan.gov/egleDrugDisposal or by calling 800-662-9278.
Sharps Disposal
“Sharps” include needles, syringes and lancets used for checking blood glucose levels. Many hospitals/clinics are not able to accept used sharps, except those containing chemotherapy medication.
- Contact your local health department, county waste authority or check the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), Medical Waste Regulatory Program’s Web site for a list of community service collections programs, by county at www.michigan.gov/deqmedwaste or call 517-241-1320.
- Contract with a U.S. Postal Service-approved mail-back service. These companies provide containers and directions on packaging your used sharps so they can be returned to the company through the U.S. mail. A list of these companies can be found by visiting www.safeneedledisposal.org or by calling 800-643-1643.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact KSP here.