Louisiana News: Medication Disposal Programs

July 7, 2010 3:50 pm

Published in the July 2010 Louisiana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter
(10-07-352)

During its May 5, 2010 meeting, the Board approved guidelines for medication disposal programs in Louisiana. Federal rules prohibit the transfer of previously dispensed controlled substances to any person for whom the product was not prescribed. Board rules prohibit a pharmacy from accepting a previously dispensed prescription drug product for return, exchange, or redispensing once the product has been removed from the pharmacy. With these two restrictions in mind, the Board encourages pharmacists to include information on appropriate disposal methods for unwanted or unused medication during their patient counseling sessions. For those pharmacies electing to participate in formal medication programs, the Board offers the following information. 

• Community Based Medication Disposal Program – This is a pre-announced event where patients deposit unwanted and unused medications at a pre-designated time at a predesignated location that has pharmacy and law enforcement supervision. The planner must secure advance approval from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for the law enforcement officer to accept any controlled substances that may be deposited. The event requires at least one law enforcement officer and at least one pharmacist at the location for the duration of the event. Finally, the pharmacist must have an arrangement with a reverse distributor, or in the alternative, licensed transport of medications to an incineration facility for high temperature destruction.
   
• Pharmacy Based Medication Disposal Program – For as long as the pharmacy elects to participate, the pharmacy may allow patients to deposit unwanted and unused medications in special deposit receptacles. This program requires a pharmacist to screen all deposits – at the time of deposit – to ensure no controlled substances are included in the deposits; with pharmacist screening, no law enforcement agency participation is necessary. The pharmacist must have an arrangement with a reverse distributor, or in the alternative, licensed transport of medications to an incineration facility for high temperature destruction.