Drug Disposal

Information for the public
Information for Facilities
Information for Licensed Nursing Homes or Licensed Boarding Homes

Personal disposal of expired or unwanted medication

DO NOT dispose of unwanted or expired medication by:

  • Flushing medication down the toilet, or
  • Pouring medication down the sink

Steps to properly dispose of expired or unwanted medication

  1. Place tablets and capsules in a disposable container such as a plastic milk container.
  2. Add water with bleach to container until contents are completely covered.
  3. For liquid medication, add cat litter, dirt or any other substance to prevent someone using the medication.
  4. Close the lid of the disposable container or medication container and secure with duct or packing tape.
  5. Place the container in the trashcan for disposal at the landfill.
  6. If the container is a glass, put inside a sturdy cardboard box and seal it to prevent breakage before placing in trash.
  7. Just before trash collection, put the medications into the trash container for removal.
Questions?
  • Ask your pharmacist
  • Call your local pharmacy
  • Call Board of Pharmacy at (505) 222-9830 or (800) 565-9102
  • See www.state.nm.us
References

Sherri K. Boehringer, "What’s The Best Way To Dispose of Medication?" Pharmacist’s letter / Prescriber’s letter. April 2004~vol 20~200415.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection: How To Dispose of Unwanted Medication

How can I safely dispose of expired medication with kids in the house?

Information for Facilities

Controlled Substances and Stock Pharmaceuticals

Methods for disposal of controlled substances and stock pharmaceuticals from practitioners, clinics, pharmacies and other licensed facilities:

1. Write DEA for permission to destroy.

  • DEA form 41 must be completed prior to disposing of any DEA controlled substance
  • Dispose in accordance with applicable state and federal regulation

2. Contact Registered Pharmaceutical disposer

3. Check these links for more information

Practioner's Manual
New Mexico Administrative Code *

Prescription Medication, Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication

Methods:

  1. Reverse distributor
  2. Incineration: Inventory of medications destroyed must be kept three years.
  3. Shredder: Inventory of medications destroyed must be kept three years.
  4. Return to manufacturer: Inventory of medications returned must be kept three years.
  5. For hazardous substances†

Drug Removal or Destruction in Licensed Nursing Homes or Licensed Boarding Homes

Unused or unwanted prescription drugs instructions for nursing and boarding homes

  1. Drugs must be inventoried. See information to be included in the inventory 16.19.11.8 NMAC
  2. Onsite destruction must be witnessed by a consultant pharmacist and one of the following:
    • An agent of the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy
    • Facility administrator/designee
    • The director of nursing homes/designee

Onsite destruction procedure:

  1. Place tablets and capsules in a disposable container such as a plastic milk container.
  2. Add water with bleach to container until contents are completely covered.
  3. For liquid medication, add cat litter, dirt or any other substance to prevent someone using the medication.
  4. Close the lid of the disposable container or medication container and secure with duct or packing tape.
  5. If the container is a glass, put inside a sturdy cardboard box and seal it to prevent breakage before placing in trash.
  6. All confidential health information from prescription containers/labels must be destroyed.
  7. The sealed container is secured in the facility until transferred/ placed in trash on collection day.

Other methods that may be used by consultant pharmacist and the facility:

    • Registered Pharmaceutical disposal services.
    • Reversed distributor for both dangerous and controlled substance.
    • See the conditions to be met 16.19.11.8 NMAC.
    • Destruction onsite as in number three (3) above.
    • Return the prescription drugs to the dispensing pharmacy for credit/reuse or destruction pursuant to Board regulations.

Record of transfers/destruction must be retained for 3 years and must contain the information required by 16.19.11.8 NMAC

Consultant pharmacists are not authorized to keep or store pharmaceuticals.

For more information click, see NMAC 16.19.11, Nursing Home Drug Control.

Useful links

Drug Disposal
Hazardous Waste Waste - Pharmaceuticals
Hazardous Waste Bureau - Hazardous Waste Facilities
How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications
New shredder makes drug disposal a snip
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Index, EPA
Safety and Health Topics Hazardous Drugs Hazard and Solutions
Pollution Prevention City of Albuquerque
Procedure for Proper Management and Disposal of Scheduled Drugs Northeastern University
Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs Office of National Drug Control Policy

References

Pharmacist’s letter / Prescriber’s letter April 2004 ~ Volume 20 ~ Number 200415
Controlled Substances NMAC 16.19.20
New Mexico Pharmacy Rules and Law
Practitioner's Manual