Medication Disposal Site Search Tool Now Available on AWARErx.org

The AWAR_XE ^® Prescription Drug Safety Program supports the proper disposal of medications as a vital component in preventing accidental or intentional misuse of prescription drugs. To help visitors to www.AWARERX.org more easily find disposal locations in their area, AWAR_XE has launched a location-based search tool. Typing an address, city, state, or zip code into the website’s new search tool will provide patients with a list and map of the closest medication disposal sites. Law enforcement organizations, civic centers, and pharmacies are the most common sites where prescription drugs can be disposed of in a manner that is safe for family, friends, and the environment.

The disposal of unwanted prescription drugs has become an important part of drug safety. More than half of prescription drug abusers obtained the drugs from family or friends. There are 6.8 million people aged 12 and older who have used prescription drugs recreationally. To reduce the chance of prescription drug misuse or abuse within a household, AWAR_XE recommends disposing of unused, unwanted, or expired drugs in a timely fashion. The ability to find local medication disposal sites with AWAR_XE’s easy-to-use search tool will simplify this essential part of drug safety.

Medication disposal sites typically accept prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins. Until October 2014, controlled substances (CS) were required to be disposed of in locations where law enforcement was present. New regulations from Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provide more disposal options for consumers, including allowing disposal of CS at pharmacies registered with DEA as authorized collectors. Check with local disposal sites for details about dropping off CS. If local medication disposal sites are not available, AWAR_XE recommends following local or Food and Drug Administration guidelines for disposing of unwanted medications.

AWAR_XE is committed to educating the public about prescription drug safety and providing tools to win the fight against prescription drug abuse. More information on medication disposal and DEA’s new regulation can be found on AWAR_XE’s Find Disposal Information web page.

The AWAR_XE^® Prescription Drug Safety Program is brought to you by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Foundation™. For more information, please visit www.AWARErx.org. NABP is an impartial professional organization that supports the state boards of pharmacy for the purpose of protecting public health.