April 28: National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

More organizations are partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) this year on its National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, April 28.

DEA and its partners give the public an opportunity to rid their homes of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs at thousands of sites nationwide, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time on April 28.

DEA’s national Take-Back Days, held twice a year, have been so successful that nearly 1 million pounds of drugs have been collected since the program’s inception in September 2010. “Americans responded overwhelmingly to DEA’s first 3 Take-Back Day events, disposing of nearly 500 tons of medication in the past 2 years,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart.

As a result, more organizations are partnering with the DEA and law enforcement agencies to publicize the event and set up sites for disposals. Partners in the April 28 event include: the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Federation of State Medical Boards, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Drug stores that want to serve as take-back sites must partner with a local law enforcement agency, according to DEA regulations. However, the agency is working on regulations that would “create a legal, environmentally-safe, and convenient way of disposing of drugs,” said Barbara Carreno, spokesperson for DEA.

“Those regulations are in the process of being developed. Once they are approved…we would not have to have take-back programs. Until they are in place, we will continue to have take-back programs twice a year,” Carreno added.

For more information on the program, click here.