Did you know that medicines left in the home are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse? Studies indicate that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home
medicine cabinet. Use the resources below to identify safe and effective methods to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs.
Drug Disposal Boxes
Certain law enforcement agencies and pharmacies in Ohio offer drug disposal boxes to collect and dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications from the general public. To locate your closest drug disposal box, use the following links:
DEA Drug Disposal Regulations
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations allow authorized manufacturers, distributors, reverse distributors, narcotic treatment programs,
hospitals/clinics with an on-site pharmacy, and retail pharmacies to collect controlled and non-controlled pharmaceutical drugs from ultimate users by voluntarily administering
mail-back programs and maintaining collection receptacles. In addition, the regulations allow authorized hospitals/clinics with an on-site pharmacy and retail pharmacies to
voluntarily maintain collection receptacles at long-term care facilities. To learn more about these regulations, please review the Board’s guidance document below.
Additional Resources
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has several resources available on how to safely dispose of prescription medications:
Disposal of Household Generated Sharps
Disposing of loose needles, lancets, and syringes (sharps) into household trash poses a risk to family members and solid waste workers who must handle the waste. Ohio law allows for the disposal of sharps
generated by an individual for the purposes of their own care or treatment at home. To learn more about how to safely dispose of household generated sharps, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has developed
the following guidance document:
Disposal of Controlled Substance Inventory
Healthcare and other Board of Pharmacy licensed facilities that seek to dispose of controlled substance inventory must do so in accordance with the following: