[Pharmwaste] Do drug collection programs address possession of controlled substances that are not in their original containers?

[Perry, William]

Greetings, Amy -  I've never heard of any ordinances in our area regarding pill containers, but containers are a big factor in the program operated by our retail pharmacy partner here in Washington State.  In that program , a pharmacist must examine the medicines  brought in by customers before they can be dumped in the secure collection bins.  The big thing that the pharmacists are looking for are controlled substances, since they can't legally accept those drugs due  to the current DEA regs.  The info on the containers is key to identifying the controlled substances - for that reason, all the customer education directs folks to bring in their unwanted meds in original containers.  When customers do bring in medicines in plastic bags or other non-original containers, the pharmacists often reject those medicines, and direct the customer to a law enforcement location that can accept all medicines, including controlled substances.  Sometimes, if the pharmacist is confident that they can identify all the mis-packaged meds, they'll accept them.   

I'm also aware of the medicine safety aspects - medicines in unlabeled containers might be involved in a poisoning or some other form of mistake.  If a poisoning were to occur, then proper labeling would be crucial for any  medical responders treating the victim.  I'd see this as another reason we advise folks to keep their medicines in the original containers.  On the other side, I've hear arguments that advocate the removal controlled substances from their original containers, so the labeling won't clue in those interested in recreational use.  You hear this argument from those that point to the garbage can as an appropriate disposal method for waste medicines.  I'd say that this is more of a point in favor of providing secure and convenient return programs for those drugs.  Tata - 

Will Perry
Health & Environmental Investigator II
Public Health / Seattle & King County
401 Fifth Ave, Suite 1100
Seattle, WA 98104
206-263-8477   william.perry at kingcounty.gov



-----Original Message-----
From: Amy.Roering at co.hennepin.mn.us [mailto:Amy.Roering at co.hennepin.mn.us] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 7:01 AM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Do drug collection programs address possession of controlled substances that are not in their original containers? 


Hello,

We've run across a couple of city ordinances that forbid people from possessing controlled substances in anything but their original containers.  This presents a problem because, in reality, some people carry these drugs around in other containers or keep them in pill reminders.  Or, people
(caregivers) may dispose of these drugs of behalf of someone else.

Have any other drug collection programs addressed this issue?  If so, what do you advise residents to do in these situations?


Amy Roering
Hennepin County | Department of Environmental Services | MC L-609
701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 700 | Minneapolis, MN 55415 Office phone (612) 348-8992 | Cell phone (612) 382-5790 Faxes (612) 348-6510 & (612) 348-8532 amy.roering at co.hennepin.mn.us

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