Lilly’s Position on the Disposal of Unused Medicines in the United States
Lilly supports educating patients and caregivers on how to properly dispose of unused
medicines. Every patient and caregiver has a role in being responsible when it comes to
disposing of unused medicines.
Background
Millions of patients take medicine to treat disease and live longer and healthier lives. In some situations, patients
may no longer need these medicines. For many years, patients have been advised to flush their unused medicines
down the drain. As a result of advancements in technology, scientists can now detect very minute concentrations
of medicines in rivers, streams and drinking water supplies. While information published to date shows the
extremely low concentrations in surface waters are very unlikely to be harmful to human health or to have shortterm impacts on aquatic organisms, the advice given to patients on how to properly dispose of unused medicine
has been reexamined and revised.
Current Recommendations
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Patients should work with their physicians and pharmacists to minimize the chances that their medicines will
go unused. Patients should safeguard all medicines in their possession to prevent accidental poisoning and
drug abuse.
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Government recommendations
state that most unused medicines can be disposed in household trash
and should no longer be flushed down the drain (except for some specific medications like controlled
substances). The public should mix unused medicines with an unpalatable substance (e.g., coffee grounds),
seal them in a container, and dispose with regular household trash.
Utilize local household hazardous waste collection programs that will accept unused medicines. There are
more than 3000 of these programs throughout the country and some accept unused medicines.
Additional information for consumers on safe disposal of unused or expired medications can be found at the
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SMARxT Disposal web site. SMARxT is a partnership of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the American
Pharmacists Association, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, an industry trade
association.
What disposal solutions do Lilly support?
Lilly believes that the government recommendations to dispose of most unused medicines in household trash is
well-supported by current and ongoing research. If new programs are being considered, Lilly supports the
following principles:
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Lilly supports industry-wide, free-market solutions that provide cost-effective solutions and encourage
participation in unused medicine disposal programs. Programs should be:
o Safe and easy for the patients.
o Prevent misuse of prescription drugs.
o Affordable and ensure the environment is protected.
© 2011 Eli Lilly and Company. All rights reserved.
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References
1) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) .
2) U.S Food and Drug Administration, Disposal by Flushing of Certain Unused Medicines: What you should know.
3) Office of National Drug Control Policy, Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs.
4) SMARxT Disposal, A Prescription for a Healthy Planet.
© 2011 Eli Lilly and Company. All rights reserved.
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