Pharmacists say drug disposal rule should include controlled substances

The nation’s community pharmacists want authority to accept Vicodin, OxyContin and other controlled substances as part of a national program meant to rid medicine cabinets, street corners and water supplies of unwanted drugs. 

In comments to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) urged the agency to include the provision in federal regulations now being crafted.

Currently 1,600 pharmacies voluntarily participate in the medication take-back program known as “Dispose My Meds,” but they are legally prohibited from taking controlled substances.

“Controlled substances represent a missing link in efforts to adopt a unified approach to the safe disposal of unwanted, unused or expired medications,” said NCPA chief executive B. Douglas Hoey.

The comments were among 168 public submissions filed to influence the rule, which comes in response to the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010.

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