Multi-state medication take back initiative: Controlled substances collected from 2011 to 2015

Abstract

It is important to assess which dispensed medications remain unused as accumulated home medications serve as a source for poisonings, abuse, and misuse. The objective of this study was to characterize and quantify controlled substances relinquished at community medication take back events. Medications were brought to events from 2011 to 2015 across six states. We analyzed medication classification (overthe counter, controlled, non-controlled), medication name, strength, formulation, original dispensed quantity, collected quantity, and therapeutic class. The top nine controlled therapeutic class categories are reported in this study, excluding liquid formulations. The total number of collected controlled prescriptions and units (tablets/capsules/patches) were calculated. Averages are presented for dispensed and collected quantity, and percent waste (unused) for medication categories. Over 10,270 prescriptions with 280,813 units were collected and logged. With 85 units per prescription, morphine had the greatest average originally dispensed units. Hydrocodone had the greatest quantity of prescriptions (4,717), containing 104,460 units. Pregabalin had the highest waste at 74.8%, followed by fentanyl patches (70.1%) and morphine (68.4%). Of the medications returned, more than half of the originally dispensed prescriptions for all medication categories remained unused. All aspects of controlled substance supply and demand should be scrutinized to address this public health epidemic while ensuring optimal patient care. ARTICLE HISTORY

A Scoping Review of Disposal of Unused Medicines in Take-Back Programs

“…Of the 16 articles obtained based on the literature search, all of them had a cross sectional study design. In table 2 it can be seen that 11 articles (69%) were conducted in the United States 2,3,17,6,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and 1 article (6%) each were conducted in Australia 18 , Cairo 8 , Malta 19 , Mexico 20 and Sabah 21 . The majority of articles (63%) had a clear objective, that is to measure the medicines collected in medication return program 2,6,8,11,[13][14][15][16]19,20 .…”

“…In table 2 it can be seen that 11 articles (69%) were conducted in the United States 2,3,17,6,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and 1 article (6%) each were conducted in Australia 18 , Cairo 8 , Malta 19 , Mexico 20 and Sabah 21 . The majority of articles (63%) had a clear objective, that is to measure the medicines collected in medication return program 2,6,8,11,[13][14][15][16]19,20 . In terms of data collection methods, there were 5 articles (31%) that conducted a survey to participants who collected medicines in medication return program provided.…”

“…As many 7 (44%) articles reported that the medication return program was held routinely in each place designated for medicine collection 2,13,15,[18][19][20][21] . Meanwhile, 9 (56%) of them held a special event for medicine returns and 2 of them focused on medication return events for controlled drugs 3,6,8,[10][11][12]14,16,17 . Most of this programs are held in pharmacies.…”

“…There are 2 articles that only discuss about medication return programs for controlled medicines. First, a study conducted by Jaramillo-Stametz et al, (2018) which reported the results of a special medication return event for controlled medicines 14 . Second, study by Moustarah et al, (2020) who also reported a medication return event that was deliberately designed only for controlled medicines in Michigan, United States.…”

Interpol review of controlled substances 2016–2019

“…Drug Take Back Programs: controlled substances collected from a multi-state medication take back initiative between 2011 to 2015 [ 1645 ].…”