The issue of properly disposing surplus and expired medications is an emerging issue in the environmental arena.  Historically, surplus and expired medications were commonly disposed of through sanitary sewer systems.  However, due to more advanced technology we now have improved analytical procedures to identify pollutants in our groundwater and surface water.  Research has found medications and their byproducts in ground and surface waters, suggesting that this disposal method is not completely effective in preventing contamination.  More than three billion prescriptions are disposed of every year and their byproducts are impacting our groundwater and surface water quality.  Though wastewater treatment systems reduce the concentrations of the medications introduced through the sewer system, they are not designed to totally eliminate medications and their byproducts.

Studies show that some chemicals can persist for several decades in groundwater.  Most of the medications and their byproducts are found at very low concentrations; however, even low-level exposure to some of these chemicals may cause serious chronic effects.  The effects of many chemicals on humans and the environment are not yet understood.  Evidence indicates that some medications may degrade into more persistent and/or toxic compounds over time.

Federal Guidelines for the proper disposal of prescription drugs include:

• Check with your local pharmacy for availability of a community pharmaceutical take-back program.

• Ask your doctor's office if they will take back any remaining pharmaceutical items for return to their vendor.

• Mix prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in nondescript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags; then throw them in the trash.

• Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so.

www.epa.gov/ppcp - This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web site describes the occurrence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment.  The site incorporates commonly asked questions about pharmaceuticals in the environment, completed and on-going scientific work, and research bibliographies from a web site originally managed by EPA's Office of Research and Development.

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/factsht/proper_disposal.html               Federal Guidelines for the proper disposal of prescription drugs.

http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/hhw/howto/medications.htm -  Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment guidelines for disposal of most medications, with the exception of cancer treating drugs.