In the United States, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is annually celebrated during April and October and the coming one is bring celebrated on October 29th.
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
It has been in recent years that the overall consumption of prescription drugs have risen significantly globally hence it becomes very important that people taking it are well informed about this at first this includes proper disposal of prescription drugs as neglecting it can cause serious issues in the future.
| Event | National Prescription Drug Take Back Day |
|---|---|
| Date | October 29, 2022 |
| Day | Saturday |
| Significance | The day's goal is to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs while also educating people about the dangers of drug abuse. |
| Observed by | United States |
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day History:
In 1918, New York State was the first in the country which became concerned about a growing drug problem; drugs such as heroin and cocaine were allowed under federal and state laws to be prescribed by doctors and dispensed in pharmacies. One provision of New York's PDMP law required a doctor who prescribed a certain quantity of heroin, cocaine, morphine, opium, or codeine to use "serially numbered official prescription blanks" issued by the state health department.
Then in 1982 , The FDA issued Tamper-resistant Packaging Regulations in efforts of preventing poisonings and deaths, such as those from cyanide placed in Tylenol capsules. Congress passes the Federal Anti-Tampering Act the following year, making it a crime to tamper with packaged consumer products. In 2000, the U. S. Supreme Court rulef that the FDA does not have authority to regulate tobacco as a drug from now. The US saw a huge problem of increase in prescription drugs in the 1990s which still continues today.
In 1986, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report that recommended the use of opiate pain relief medication for those suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses that carried heavy, acute pain as a symptom. This report stated that first, the physician should try over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen, then if that did not ease the patient’s pain, codeine and other like opioids should be prescribed.
As the population of the United States continues to get older, the history of prescription drugs is adding a new chapter. With each passing year, more Baby Boomers are reaching new age milestones. With an ever-aging population we are seeing a greater frequency of illness and disease. Therefore, there is a greater and greater demand for prescription drugs -specifically those that provide pain relief.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Significance:
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an initiative which is authorized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the United States, it helps people give back all their old and expired prescription medicines in various locations all over the U.S. The main goal is beating back the opioid epidemic in the U.S., which medical professionals say can also stem from the easy availability of such medicines in homes everywhere. Hence people are encouraged to check their medications on this day and if they find any old prescribed medications then they are asked to return it.
A prescription drug refers to those medicines which must be prescribed by a medical professional and are regulated by the government. In the United States, a variety of medical professionals can authorize prescription drugs, including: physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, veterinarians, psychologists and optometrists. In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines what substances require a prescription for them to be dispensed by a pharmacy.
The most common form of prescription medications includes opioids. Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant and that work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including the relief of pain with many of these drugs. Opioids can be prescription medications often referred to as painkillers, or they can be so-called street drugs, such as heroin.
Traces of prescription drugs including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers or sex hormones have been detected in drinking water. Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) discarded from human therapy and their metabolites have been found to not be eliminated by sewage treatment plants and have been found at low concentrations in surface waters downstream from those plants. The continuous discarding of incompletely treated water may interact with other environmental chemicals and lead to uncertain ecological effects.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Activities:
Use this opportunity to look deep into your medicine cabinet for that unused and unwanted prescription drug. Get rid of it at any local drop-off points provided during these special "take-back" days. And this is the motive of this day as well so dispose unwanted or old medicines which have been expired now and also inform others to do the same as well.
There might even be events related to National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day around you, sponsored by local medical authorities, that provide resources and information about such days and why they are essential. Make sure to attend at least one as it will be a nice experience for you and you will also get to learn a lot about the correct usage and disposal of prescription drugs.
If you can't attend these events live then also don't miss this opportunity to know more about the problems related to prescription drugs especially opioids. So use this opportunity to learn everything you can about the reasons and what steps you may take to lessen their consequences on your own as it is a widespread problem in today's world and that's why it needs to be taken seriously.
Most Searched FAQs on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day:
1. When is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day celebrated?
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is annually celebrated on October 29th in US.
2. Where can I dispose old prescription drugs near me?
Many hospitals, retail or clinic-based pharmacies, and even law enforcement facilities allow the disposal of old medications.
3. Can I return prescription drugs for a refund?
Most prescription drugs are not entitled to a refund or even a return. Check with your local pharmacies and medical providers, though, as their policies may differ slightly.