Accidental poisonings and abuse of prescription drugs have been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Health care providers, especially those who practice in the home environment, should be aware of the scope of this problem as well as the recommendations for management and disposal of unused prescription drugs that are present in the home. This article reviews the problem of accidental poisonings and prescription drug abuse, and summarizes recommendations provided by various government agencies for appropriate management and disposal of prescription drugs.
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, American Pharmacists Association, and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, SMARxT DISPOSAL™ website. Available at: http://www.smarxtdisposal.net/about.html. Accessed October 21, 2012.
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Drug Enforcement Administration news release: DEA’s fifth national prescription take-back day results in another big haul. 2012, October4. Available at: http://www.justice.gov/dea/docs/results_final.pdf. Accessed October 21, 2012.
Congressional Research Service Report for Congress. Legal issues relating to the disposal of dispensed controlled substances. 2010, October19. Available at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40548.pdf. Accessed October 21, 2012.
