GPhA Supports Eighth Annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC (April 25, 2014) — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) is proud to support the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) eighth annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, taking place Saturday, April 26 at local take-back sites across America. The event is dedicated to the safe disposal of prescription medications and is the result of collaboration among local, state, federal and tribal law enforcement, community and industry partners.

“Patient safety is the generic pharmaceutical industry’s number one priority. Take-Back Day helps remind Americans of the thousands of facilities available to them for collection of unused or expired medication. This is an important tool for helping curb prescription drug diversion, misuse or abuse,” said Ralph G. Neas, President and CEO of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. “It is also a time to remind patients that prescription medicines are meant to be used as directed by health providers. Making sure that patients adhere to physician and pharmacist instructions in taking medications is critical to patients’ health. It also plays an important role in avoiding the problems caused by accruing surplus medications at home.”

According to the DEA, last year 324 tons of expired and unwanted medications were returned for safe and proper disposal at the 5,683 take-back sites that were available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The combined results of the previous take-back days have removed more than 3.4 million pounds (1,733 tons) of medication from circulation.

For more information and to locate the collection site near you, visit: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback.