CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. has introduced specially designed envelopes to help customers safely dispose of unused, expired or unwanted medications.
The drug store chain said Monday that the envelopes are available for purchase at its pharmacies for $3.99, including postage.
Customers simply place the unwanted prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines in the envelope, seal it and drop it in any U.S. Postal Service mailbox. The envelope then is delivered to an approved medication incinerator, where a licensed law enforcement official oversees the safe and environmentally friendly disposal process.
"For years, Rite Aid has participated in community medication take-back events organized by local health officials and law enforcement agencies," Dan Miller, senior vice president of pharmacy at Rite Aid, said in a statement. "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."
Rite Aid said it’s working with Sharps Compliance Corp. to provide the envelopes. The envelopes are available at all Rite Aid pharmacies except in Maine, where another type of disposal program is available, according to the drug chain.
Controlled medications are excluded from the program because of current federal regulations, Rite Aid noted.
