Pharmaceutical Collection Programs in Other States

Help keep pharmaceuticals out of our rivers and streams. Until Illinois has a comprehensive statewide program for pharmaceutical collections, individuals will have to rely on what facilities or programs are in their area. Many other states have adopted comprehensive take-back and/or collection programs that provide all residents with the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted and unused pharmaceuticals and are listed below.

For more informationon on how pharmaceuticals enter our rivers and streams, the effects of pharmaceuticals on aquatic organisms, and why you should care, visit our preventing pharmaceutical water pollution webpage.

Indiana

Indiana law allows pharmacists to resell, reuse and redistribute prescription medications if they meet certain conditions including: the drug was prescribed to a patient in a hospice or “institutional facility;” the container is unopened; and the medication has not expired. Indiana Code 25-26-13-25.

Indiana has also enacted a Regional Drug Depository Program which permits health care facilities and providers, and drug manufacturers to donate certain drugs to designated depository for free redistribution to nonprofit health clinics. Indiana Code 25-26-20.

Maine

Enacted in 2003, the Unused Pharmaceutical Disposal Program requires the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) to establish a system for disposal of unused pharmaceuticals. The program operates using prepaid mail-in envelopes that are available to the public at a variety of locations, including pharmacies, doctor’s offices and post offices. The envelopes are sent to a single collection location and are handled only by MDEA officials. For a PDF of the law go to http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/22/title22sec2700.pdf.

Maryland

Maryland’s Drug Repository Program is even more expansive in that it allows any person to donate certain prescription medications to pharmacies designated as repositories. The donated prescriptions can then be distributed to any state resident declared a “needy patient” by their health practitioner. Maryland Annotated Code, Health General Sec. 15-601-609.