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DEA Rule Allows Relaxed Take-Back of Rx Medications

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On October 6, 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) expanded the list of entities that may take back controlled-substance medications from households. Pharmacies and clinics, along with a few other locations, can now take back medications from customers for destruction.

This is brand new, as the practice was strictly forbidden for many years by the DEA due to the concern that these drugs, instead of being destroyed, could go back to customers for abuse or reuse. The new rule allows reverse distributorships to take back drugs, something they have been authorized to do for decades, primarily from pharmaceutical companies that have large amounts of outdated or contaminated controlled substances for destruction. [Read more…]

Drug Diversion and Abuse: Rx Boxes 2013

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Several months ago, I wrote about a brand new program that we started at the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI). The program started when I got a call from a nurse who had lost her mother and had a significant amount of leftover controlled substances that she needed to properly dispose of. The national take back program had just ended, and she didn’t want to wait 6 months until the next return day came around.

Through that conversation, NADDI began a program to distribute prescription drug take back boxes across the country. Having boxes at law enforcement locations took care of the problem of the nurse who called me after losing her mother and did not feel comfortable holding onto the medications and waiting for 6 months. It is well known that a considerable amount of the diversion of prescription drugs occurs right in the family medicine cabinet by teenagers and anyone to whom we give access to our bathrooms in our own homes. Getting rid of dangerous medications quickly is a wise move. [Read more…]

Rx Drop Boxes: Do They Work?

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Almost a year has gone by since I wrote my column on the efforts of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) and their use of grant funds from Endo Pharmaceuticals. Endo provided money for NADDI to distribute 100 prescription drug drop boxes for unneeded or expired pharmaceuticals to be dropped off at local law enforcement agencies. This free program was such a success that Endo provided a new grant to NADDI this spring, and those boxes are being disbursed at this time.

NADDI has also made the prescription drug drop boxes available for purchase at our website, www.rxdrugdropbox.org. A significant number of boxes have been purchased and are positioned all across the United States. Individuals can go to the website, put in their zip code, and the program will locate the closest box to their residence. Any Rx drop box is included in this website, not just those NADDI has sponsored or sold. [Read more…]

Rx Drug Drop Boxes

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The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), with financial support of Endo Pharmaceuticals, has launched a brand new program to further facilitate the return of outdated and/or unneeded prescription drugs. NADDI, a nonprofit organization of which I am the national president, is devoted to providing information and services to our members and the general public concerning pharmaceutical diversion.

One issue that has continually surfaced for our members, and likely for pharmacists around the country, is the unfortunate dilemma of the prescription drugs that are left behind after the death of a loved one. The legal issues around this are many, because the medication is prescribed to an individual who is now deceased. The best course of action must be determined to remove the drugs, which are subject to illegal diversion, from the household. [Read more…]

Drug Diversion and Abuse: Project Drug Drop

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One of the positive emerging trends in the field of preventing prescription drug abuse has been the interest by law enforcement, community groups, and the general public in providing a venue for individuals who want to rid themselves of unneeded or expired medication.

Because it has become clear over the past several years that a definite source of drug diversion exists in our residences, good-meaning citizens and community groups have tried to provide an outlet for individuals to discard these medications. This has spurred many well-intentioned prescription drug take-back programs; however, some of them have not been carried out in compliance with the law, opening these groups up to potential liability. [Read more…]

How BIG is the problem?

Year after year, state and local law enforcement statistics indicate that pharmaceuticals are almost 30% of the overall drug problem in the United States, running a close second only marijuana abuse. However, until recently, law enforcement, health care professionals, and the general public have placed little emphasis on this huge problem.

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Pharmaceutical Diversion Education (PDE) is designed to assist a wide range of the population in understanding the potential abuse and addiction that can be associated with prescription medication.

Drug Diversion:
Any Criminal Act Involving a Prescription Drug.

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