Which practice best describes proper disposal of expired or unused medications in a facility?

• A. Return to pharmacy or use take-back program; label and secure until disposal.
• B. Flush down the toilet unless policy allows.
• C. Dispose in regular trash with no labeling.
• D. Give to another patient.

Answer: (A)

Proper disposal of expired or unused medications in a facility hinges on returning them to the pharmacy or using a take-back program, with the container labeled and kept secure until disposal. This approach follows policy and regulatory guidance, maintains a clear chain of custody, prevents diversion or unauthorized access, and protects the environment from pharmaceutical contamination. By labeling, staff can verify exactly what is being returned and how it should be disposed of, while securing the meds minimizes the risk of tampering or accidental ingestion.

Flushing medications is generally discouraged because it can introduce pharmaceutical compounds into water systems. Disposing in regular trash without labeling creates spill risks and potential misuse. Giving medications to another patient is unsafe and illegal.