If there are no Medicine Return Pilot Program locations operating near you, and until a manufacturer provided take-back program is provided, please carefully prepare your unwanted pharmaceuticals and dispose of them in the garbage. It is recognized that there is concern that this method could potentially allow inadvertent access of the drugs to children and/or animals during the disposal process. This access potential can be minimized by following a few simple steps:

Interim instructions on how to dispose of medicine if you cannot return it:

For chemotherapy drugs, contact your prescribing medical office to see if they will accept the drug. For all other drugs, we recommend that you:

1. Keep the medication in its original container.

2. Modify the medications to discourage consumption. Add a small amount of water to pills or capsules to dissolve them. Add something unappealing, such as kitty litter or sawdust.

3. Seal and conceal. Tape the container lid shut with tape, place in a sealable bag, then place in a non-transparent container to ensure that the contents cannot be seen.

4. Discard. Discard the container into the garbage away from kids or pets. Do not place in the recycling bin.