CVS Health Announces 47 Metric Tons of Unwanted Medication Collected Through Safe Drug Disposal Program

"Safe drug disposal is an important priority for CVS Health because of the critical role it plays in helping to combat the opioid abuse epidemic that is challenging so many communities around the country," said Tom Davis, RPh, Vice President of Pharmacy Professional Practices at CVS Pharmacy.  "The more than 600 drug disposal units we have donated to law enforcement agencies through the Safer Communities program have collected more than 47 metric tons – or more than 100,000 pounds – of unwanted medication.  We are also pleased to host law enforcement officials at more than 135 CVS Pharmacy locations for Take Back Day events this weekend on Saturday, October 22, and at the same time, launch a new tool that enables people to find local disposal options year-round."    

Launched in 2014, the CVS Health Medication Disposal for Safer Communities program is an innovative community partnership that allows local police departments to apply to receive a drug collection unit to help their communities safely dispose of unwanted medications, including controlled substances.  Through the program, CVS Health works with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids to provide the drug collection units that help rid communities of unwanted medications that may otherwise be diverted, abused or contaminate our water supply.

"As a proud partner of the Medication Disposal for Safer Communities program, we have seen CVS Health's long track record of making safe drug disposal a priority," said Marcia Lee Taylor, President and CEO, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.  "The tens of thousands of pounds of unwanted medication collected as part of the Safer Communities program truly has a critical impact on preventing drug diversion and abuse for families across the country."

In addition to its focus on proper medication disposal through the Safer Communities program, CVS Health is also working to address and prevent prescription drug abuse in other ways.  The company has increased access to the opioid-overdose reversal medication naloxone in 36 states and operates a number of prevention education efforts.  Through the company's Pharmacists Teach program, CVS pharmacists have volunteered to speak to more than 100,000 students about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.  The company also provides drug abuse prevention tips for patients on CVS.com and recently announced a partnership with DoSomething.org to reach teenagers with a prevention message online and via text message.   

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and 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. 

About CVS Health  
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com. 

Media Contact:

Erin Shields Britt
Corporate Communications
(401) 770-9237
[email protected]

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SOURCE CVS Health

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