DEA Prescription Drug Disposal Policy Expanding

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that Americans will be able to dispose of unused prescription drugs at more sites under an initiative aimed at curbing rising drug addiction and abuse.

Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement that the new DEA policy would allow for prescription drugs to be dropped off at hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and other authorized drop-off sites. Long-term care facilities will be able to collect controlled substances turned in by residents. Prescription drug users also can mail unused medications to collectors using prepaid packages.

"I am committed to ending the national epidemic that has already stolen too many lives and torn apart too many families," Mr. Holder said in a statement.

A 2013 survey showed that approximately 6.5 million Americans ≥12 years of age were nonmedical users of prescription drugs. In 2011, more than half of the 41,300 unintentional US drug overdose deaths involved prescription drugs, of which opioid pain relievers caused 17,000 of those deaths.

During a nationwide take-back event in April, Americans turned in 390 tons of prescription drugs at almost 6100 sites coordinated by the DEA and police. In addition, more than 2100 tons of prescription pills have been turned in over the last 4 years.

The next prescription drug disposal day is set for September 27, according to the DEA.

The new drop-off rule comes <3 weeks after the DEA tightened restrictions on hydrocodone.—Kerri Fitzgerald

Source: Thomson Reuters. 2014; U.S. widens programs to dispose of prescription drugs.