Households
Household wastes also contain medications that, in the past, have been
disposed of by flushing them down the toilet. In response to increasing concentrations of
pharmaceuticals, hormones and other organic wastewater contaminates found in the rivers and streams
across the nation, various agencies (the Office of National Drug Control policy, the Department of
Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, Fish & Wildlife Service and the
American Pharmacists Association and this Department) no longer encourage this practice.
There are now several options for the disposal of unused prescription drugs that the Citizens of North
Dakota can use rather than disposal into the sanitary sewer.
The North Dakota Board of Pharmacy has a Prescription Drug Repository Program where consumers can return
their unused prescription drug to pharmacists or clinics so they can be given to someone else who can
use them. A drug donated under the program
must be in the original, unopened package, except drugs packaged in single-unit doses, or punch cards,
which may be accepted and dispensed if the outside packaging has been opened and the single-unit dose
package is unopened. A nominal fee may be charged.
Check with your local pharmacist or the
North Dakota Board of Pharmacy Drug Repository Program website for further information.
North Dakota also has a two Prescription Drug Take Back Programs - the Take Back Program at participating
law enforcement agencies, and the MedSafe program at participating pharmacies. A list of the drop off
sites for old or unwanted medications can be found on the
North Dakota Attorney General’s website.
As a last option for disposal, if there are no drop-off sites available near you, you can discard
medicine in the trash. Following are the disposal methods for unused medications:
1. Remove the label or scratch off your name on the label
2. Dump the unusable medication into a leak-proof, non-descript container (empty coffee can,
detergent bottle, or sealable bag)
3. Make the drugs unusable or undesirable by:
- If liquid, mix with coffee grounds, kitty litter, salt, flour or charcoal
- If solid, add a small amount of water or vinegar to partially dissolve them
4. Seal the container and place in the garbage
5. If the medications are in a blister pack, wrap the blister packages together in multiple layers
of duct tape or other tape, then place in the garbage.
If you have further questions contact, by e-mail at Christine
Roob, or by telephone at 701.298.4638.
