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Option 1: Donate
(Note: This is an option only for drugs that are still within their expiry date)
Why not? While all expired medicines should be disposed of, consider taking part in drug recycling programs for those within the expiry period that you no longer need, as these not just benefit the marginalized sections of society but also reduce the impact on our environment.
In India, the local NGOs very often will willingly take your unused medications. Ask around or look up the numbers of the NGOs online and call them directly.
If you are a citizen of Mumbai, this website lists drop-off locations where unused drugs can be dropped off, which are then distributed to the needy.
In the USA, The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that as of 2018, 38 states and Guam had passed laws allowing for medicine donation and re-use programs. However, not all states have all programs in place, and state-wise restrictions and rules apply.
Following are some guidelines:
- Financial compensation for donating the drugs is prohibited.
- Some states do accept individual donations- only designated professionals or institutions may donate.
- Controlled substances are not accepted.
- Expired drugs are not accepted.
- Protection from liability for both the donor and the recipient.
- Donations may be tax-deductible under certain circumstances.
For donating medicines for international humanitarian relief efforts, follow this link by the FDA.
Option 2: Grab the ‘Take Back Day’
(Note: This option is for both drugs that have expired or are within the expiry date)
In the USA, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) sponsors periodic national drug take-back days with collection sites across the country. The next drug take-back day is on October 29, 2022.
There are also permanent drug collection sites where your unused medicines can be handed over.
DEA began hosting National Prescription Drug Take-Back events in 2010. At the October 2021 Take Back Day, close to 5,000 sites across the nation collected unwanted or expired medications totaling 744,082 pounds (372 tons). The total amount of prescription drugs collected by the DEA since the fall of 2010 is over 15 million pounds (more than 7,634 tons).
Certain items are not accepted, such as:
- Sharps like syringes and needles.
- Aerosols.
- Asthma inhalers.
- Mercury thermometer.
- Iodine-containing medications.
(Contact your local pharmacy for disposal of these items)
Vape pens and e-cigarette devices are accepted only after batteries are removed by the consumer.
Alternatively, some local government bodies, doctors’ offices, and pharmacies have programs in place for collecting medications. Enquire with these bodies about the options available to you.
Option 3: Dispose of them yourself.
When available, always follow the disposal instructions given on the drug pack or the information leaflet.
Can I flush medicines down the drain?
With a few exceptions, no. Flushing should be limited only to the drugs that are on the ‘Flush List’.
Typically these drugs are the ones that can result in death from even one inappropriately taken dose or those with serious abuse potential (e.g., morphine and related drugs). There have been instances of children and pets reaching into the trash and accidentally ingesting them. Also, substance abuse addicts might dig into your trash and access these medicines.
Here is a complete list as described by the FDA.
Can I discard medicines with household waste?
Yes, the drugs that are not included in the FDA ‘Flush List’ as detailed above can be disposed of with household waste.
Follow these steps as detailed by the FDA
For more details on drug disposal, click here to take you to the FDA site.
Trivia
India, the largest democracy in the world, has a National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) that puts a price cap on specific drugs and devices which are set by the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA), resulting in a single tablet of Paracetamol 500mg (Tylenol ™) to cost about 0.013 USD and the average cost of insulin 50 USD per month. Here is the updated 2022 list.
