Welcome to DisposeMyMeds.org, an online resource to help you find medication disposal programs at an independent community pharmacy in your neighborhood. This public service program is presented by the National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). NCPA members can complete the form below to join the program.
NCPA Foundation’s prescription disposal program, Dispose My Meds™, offers information and resources for pharmacies to create medication disposal programs to help their patients safely dispose of unused and expired medicines.
Managed by the NCPA Foundation, this program is designed to help independent community pharmacies protect their patients and the environment while potentially attracting new patients through a low-cost, turn-key program. To date, over 200,000 pounds of unused/expired medications have been collected by more than 1,600 participating pharmacies across the country. Past medication return programs around the country have found that as many as 40-49 percent of customers returning medications for disposal were from other pharmacies, presenting a tremendous opportunity for customer conversion while making a difference for your community with a safe solution to improper drug disposal and potential drug misuse.
NCPA members receive a discount on the Sharps TAKEAWAY Environmental Return System™, a safe, easy method to dispose of unused medications. Containers are available in either 10- or 20-gallon drop boxes or convenient postage pre-paid envelopes. Members also receive customizable marketing materials for their pharmacy.
A Valuable Service For Independent Community Pharmacy
Dispose My Meds, presented by the NCPA Foundation, provides members with a valuable service that their patients want, which may result in increased foot traffic, new patients, and marketing opportunities for the pharmacy. In fact, past medication return programs around the country have found that as many as 40-49 percent of customers returning medications for disposal were from other pharmacies, presenting a tremendous opportunity for customer conversion while making a difference for your community with a safe solution to improper drug disposal and potential drug misuse.
Through a comprehensive, turnkey medication returns system community pharmacists will be able to:
- Respond to the demands of customers who prefer companies that provide environmental services
- Differentiate their business and potentially convert new patients through a low-cost program
- Highlight their role of as a valuable member in the community and showcase their leadership in protecting the environment and preventing medication misuse
The improper disposal of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) negatively impacts our environment and could lead to greater harm. Unused or expired medications pose risks to our families, communities, and the environment. As active members in the community, pharmacists are in a prime position to ensure the safe and proper handling of medications, from dispensing to disposal. Participating in a medication take back program is a great opportunity for pharmacists to lead the way in pharmaceutical waste disposal that highlights their role as a respected and knowledgeable resource on medications.
As an NCPA member benefit, members receive a nearly 20% discount on the Sharps TAKEAWAY™ Environmental Return System plus free shipping. Call Sharps to order today 1.800.772.5657.
The Sharps TAKEAWAY Environmental Return System is a safe, easy method to dispose of unused patient medications, available in convenient postage pre-paid envelopes for patients to mail on their own as well as 10- or 20-gallon pharmacy collection boxes plus free shipping, tracking, packaging and destruction! (note: some limitations may apply on the use of collection boxes. It is recommended that you check with your state Board of Pharmacy for compliance information).
Along with the discount, NCPA members will receive free access to customizable flyers, counter cards, bag stuffers, and posters to promote their take back programs.
NCPA has talked with dozens of Boards of Pharmacy about guidelines for a pharmacy’s participation in a drug take back / disposal program in their state. Among Boards of Pharmacy and other numerous pharmacy groups, there is tremendous support for programs to help remove unused / expired drugs from the supply chain in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner.
Most state pharmacy practice acts do not specifically address prescription medication take back programs for disposal. DEA however currently has specific guidelines restricting the return of controlled substances without the direct involvement of law enforcement.
Therefore, Boards have said that any medication take back program conducted in a pharmacy should have the following characteristics:
- NO controlled substances returned.
- The medication take back box should not be freely accessible to the public.
- The pharmacist should be directly involved to ensure that controlled substances are not being placed into the return box. (This is an excellent opportunity for patient education and drug compliance counseling).
- Once box is full, return immediately via UPS or the US Postal Service for disposal.
Should you have specific questions, check directly with your Board of Pharmacy to ensure that you are in full compliance with your respective state pharmacy regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials will my pharmacy receive with participation in the NCPA Prescription Disposal Program?
- Discounts on the products of the TakeAway™ Environmental Return System: a 10-gallon collection
container; a 20-gallon collection container; or 8″ x 11″ TakeAway Envelopes, which you can provide for free
or sell to patients, who will fill them from home and mail directly to Sharps Compliance, Inc. for incineration. - Free shipping on TakeAway Environmental Return System products to and from your store. (Please note
there is a return weight limit of 50 lbs. for the 20-gallon TakeAway Environmental Return Systems. Returned
systems weighing over 50 lbs. are subject to a charge of $1.50 per pound in excess of 50 lbs.) - Customizable marketing materials, including counter displays, window clings, fliers, bag stuffers, and press
releases for local media.
How does the TakeAway Environmental Return System work?
- The Sharps TakeAway Environmental Return System is a safe, easy method to dispose of unused patient medications, available in 10- or 20-gallon pharmacy drop boxes or convenient postage pre-paid envelopes for patients to mail on their own.
- Patients and consumers can bring in their unwanted or expired medications and hand them over to the pharmacist, who will insert them into the TakeAway Environmental Return System kept behind the counter.
- When the box is full, the pharmacist seals it and hands it off to a UPS carrier. The TakeAway Environmental Return System is prepaid and pre-addressed for an incineration facility operated by Sharps Compliance, Inc. in Carthage, Texas, where incineration is witnessed by law enforcement. In addition, a pharmacy can choose to distribute envelopes to patients to drop their medications into, seal, and mail back to the incineration facility.
How will patients know of my service?
- There are two ways your patients and others can be made aware of your community service. The first is by reproducing the NCPA provided customizable in-store signs, flyers and bag stuffers, as well as using media tools, such as a press release and letter to your local newspaper.
- Through a unique partnership with Medical Waste Pros, NCPA Foundation is able to increase awareness of your services by including your location on their special consumer medication disposal mapping tool.
- Participating pharmacies may benefit from offering the unique
services of the TakeAway program with increased foot traffic to the pharmacy.
What items can be accepted into the TakeAway return system for disposal?
- Any pharmaceutical product, prescription or OTC, can be accepted for disposal, EXCLUDING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, syringes, thermometers, home-based care or durable medical equipment, and liquids over 4 oz. Medications in any dosage form and any type of packaging are allowed, provided the medications are not controlled substances. Sharps has developed another disposal system, MedSafe™, which allows for the disposal of both non-controlled and controlled substances.
How long has Sharps treatment facility been in use?
- Sharps has a permitted facility in use for more than 15 years. The facility is monitored and permitted to handle this waste in a responsible and environmentally sound manner.
Can I track TakeAway return system shipments through UPS?
- Yes. You can track TakeAway system purchases as they are shipped to your pharmacy and filled TakeAway systems can be tracked during return shipment to Texas.