National Drug Take Back Day Encourages Safe and Sustainable Drug Disposal
When is National Drug Take Back Day?
By Anna Peterson Sanders PharmD, BCGP., pharmacist at Network Health
Originally published on 4/19/2021 at 2:00 p.m.
Updated on 4/24/2025 at 12:57 p.m.
Getting rid of stuff when you’re done is usually a straightforward thing. Food waste is thrown out (or composted), recyclable materials are put into the blue-top bin and clothing or other still useful items are donated.
Prescription medication, on the other hand, doesn’t fall into either of these categories. Throwing them out can cause their compounds to pollute watersheds and other natural regions, as well as fall into the wrong hands. Similarly, there’s no legal secondhand market or outlets for medication.
That is why there are National Prescription Drug Take Back Days.
What Day is National Drug Take-Back Day in 2025?
National Drug Take-Back Day changes from year to year, but in 2025, it is on Saturday, April 26. Organized by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), this day gives those with unused prescription medications the chance to safely and properly dispose of them.
During National Drug Take Back Day, there are local events that make it even easier to dispose of unused medications. You can find a complete list of Wisconsin drop-off events by clicking the button below.
What to Do With Unused Prescriptions the Rest of the Year
If you can't visit one of the Drug Take Back Day events, there are still year-round options for properly disposing of your medication. These often include popular pharmacies, such as Walgreens or CVS, as well as your local hospital. Many local pharmacies have DisposeRx®, a medication disposal system specifically geared up for helping those with extra medications safely dispose of them. For a full list, click the button below.
Should All Unused Medications Be Disposed of at Drop-Off Sites?
If you've been prescribed a medication, there is a good chance that it will be accepted at a Drug Take Back Day drop-off site, and prescription pills aren't the only medications to bring. Here are some other medications you should safely dispose of.
- Creams
- Ointments
- Inhalers
- Non-aerosol sprays
- Vials of liquid medicine
- Over-the-counter medications
- Pet medications
Certain drugs, like those for cancer and some chronic conditions, may be donated. Once the medications clear a safety check, they can be used by those who may not otherwise be able to afford their prescription medications. For more information on this life-saving program contact the Wisconsin Dug Repository or click here.
Needles, syringes and other sharps pose the threat of contamination or injury to sanitation workers. Properly disposing of sharps is important, but a drug drop box or drop-off event is not generally the place to do so. Instead, reach out to the Registered Sharps Collection Stations (shinyapps.io) or search healthcare waste on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website here.
Why Should I Get Rid of Medications When I’m Done with Them?
The majority of misused prescription drugs come from family or friends in situations where the medication is stolen from the home. Similarly, many people find their way to abused drugs by retrieving them from the trash.
Proper drug disposal can help to prevent drug overdose deaths when prescription drugs fall into the wrong hands. Prescription drugs that have been thrown away can also become environmental hazards as the chemicals inside of them can make their way into the water supply when the trash is put into a landfill.
Between the human and environmental tolls, it is clear that we need to better understand how to properly dispose of our prescription medications. This is why National Drug Take Back Day is so important.
As always, your local pharmacists are on hand to help. If you would like to find a pharmacy for more information, click here. If you are a Network Health member, we have a team of pharmacists on hand to help you when you need it. Click below for the best way to reach out to us today.
