TakeawayTM is no way to do a take back. [POSTER]

The presence of pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in water is an escalating concern among environmental and public health officials. In the past this issue has conflicted with public health policy makers’ concerns about how unused, unwanted, or expired medication collections can impede efforts to combat drug diversion. Consumers can potentially help divert medications and their APIs from entering water sources by buying and utilizing TakeAwayTM Environmental Return System envelopes made by Sharps Compliance, Inc. The researchers considered how these envelopes are a possible option for medication disposal by identifying the availability of the TakeAway envelopes in different pharmacies, exploring what happens to non-controlled and controlled medications when they are mailed back, and assessing pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes regarding mail-back envelopes and medication disposal. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the researchers conducted a pilot study in the Philadelphia region. The researchers found the envelopes are not widely available among community pharmacies where consumers can fill prescriptions; within a one-month period, 85% of surveyed pharmacists reported that five or less people inquired about medication disposal; and of those that sold the envelopes, most did not sell any TakeAwayTM envelopes. When tracking what happens to the unwanted medications within Sharps Compliance, non-controlled medications are processed using a patented Waste Conversion Process, but this process is not clearly detailed. Although controlled substance are not to be mailed, representatives from the company could not detail what happens to the controlled substances in the case that they are included in the envelopes. With limited availability, cost to consumers, and lack of acceptance of controlled substances, the researchers conclude that the TakeAwayTM envelopes are no panacea for medication disposal or diversion.