Pharmaceutical use in the general population is common and growing, leading to more and more households having leftover medications they need to dispose of, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled substances, and more. Safe and proper disposal methods for pharmaceuticals are limited in the U.S., leading to improper disposal. When improperly disposed of, whether through the trash or flushed down the drain, pharmaceuticals can contaminate our environment and threaten our drinking water. When they are left in medicine cabinets, they can lead to accidental overdoses. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for pharmaceuticals help ensure these products are managed responsibly at the end of life, requiring covered pharmaceutical manufacturers to help finance and manage take-back programs. Take-back programs typically provide permanent collection sites or kiosks at local pharmacies, drug stores, and other locations, and pharmaceutical mail-back envelopes.
Programs
Washington Safe Medication Return
In 2018, Washington passed HB 1047, protecting the public’s health by creating a system for safe and secure collection and disposal of unwanted medications (aka the Secure Drug Take-Back Act), requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to create, fund, and operate a convenient statewide collection and disposal program for unwanted or unused household over-the-counter and prescription medication for people and pets. Washington’s program provides residents with convenient opportunities to dispose of their pharmaceuticals through permanent collection kiosks at entities such as retailers, pharmacies, law enforcement agencies, and drug stores and through mail-back envelopes provided by program operators. There are two program operators running take-back programs in Washington, Inmar Intelligence and MED-Project, and the program is overseen by the Washington State Department of Health.
OR Safe Drug Disposal
In 2019, Oregon passed HB 3273, relating to drugs and prescribing an effective date, requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to create, fund, and operate a convenient statewide collection and disposal program for unwanted or unused household over-the-counter and prescription medication. Oregon’s program provides residents with convenient opportunities to dispose of their pharmaceuticals through permanent collection kiosks at entities such as retailers, pharmacies, law enforcement agencies, and drug stores and through mail-back envelopes provided by program operators. In 2023, Oregon passed SB 411, an amendment to their program that expands the type of facilities at which covered pharmaceuticals may be disposed of. There are two program operators running take-back programs in Oregon, Inmar Intelligence and MED-Project, and the program is overseen by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
Resources
Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) – Pharmaceuticals
About NWPSC
The Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NWPSC) is a coalition of government organizations in Washington and Oregon that work together to develop and improve Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies and programs