Rite Aid Introduces Medication Disposal Program

By Kate H. Gamble, Senior Editor

To help patients dispose of unused, expired, and unwanted drugs, Rite Aid now sells specially designed disposal envelopes available for purchase.

Through the new program, customers can place unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications in the envelope; once sealed and mailed, the envelopes are sent to an approved medication incinerator, where a licensed law enforcement official oversees the safe and environmentally-friendly disposal process. Postage is included in the cost of the envelope, which is $3.99.

Rite Aid is working with Sharps Compliance Corporation, a full-service provider of solutions for disposing of medical waste and unused medications, to provide the envelopes. The envelopes are available at all Rite Aid pharmacies except in Maine, where another type of disposal program is available.

“For years, Rite Aid has participated in community medication take-back events organized by local health officials and law enforcement agencies,” said Dan Miller, Rite Aid senior vice president of pharmacy. “Our customers often ask how to dispose of medication. By making these envelopes available in our stores, we’re offering an easy and safe disposal solution for customers looking to safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted medications.”

Controlled medications are excluded from this program due to current federal regulations.