Every Day is Drug Take Back Day

Opioids, Physician Office / Coalitions, drug take back day, Hospitals

Talk to your patients about National Drug Take Back Day

Do you know that many people hold on to unused or expired medicines? Do you know that most people that misuse prescription drugs get them from family members? Educate your patients on how to safely dispose of unwanted medications in their homes. Share the following resources we have developed to help people keep track of the medications they’re taking:

  1. Understanding Medication Reconciliation
  2. My Medication List
  3. Medications and Older Adults
  4. Know the ABCDs of your Medications

Prepare for National Drug Take Back Day in 3 steps

Many people have medicines in their homes that they no longer take or that are expired.  Did you know that most people who misuse prescription medicines get them from family and friends? Keeping unused medicines around can be dangerous. It’s time to prepare for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27, 2024. Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of medicines anonymously. Here’s how to prepare:

  • Clean out medicine cabinets.
    • Make a list of current medicines, including both prescription and OTC
    • Gather the rest to dispose of
  • Safely store them until Drug Take Back Day to prevent anyone from getting them accidentally.
  • Take them back!
  • What medicines can be taken to Drug Take Back Day?
    • Collection sites do not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs.
    • Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container with the cap tightly sealed.
    • The event will also accept vaping devices and cartridges provided lithium batteries are removed.

Follow these instructions to safely dispose of medicine in the trash at home.