Twice a year, communities across the country rally around a shared mission: safely disposing of unused or expired medications. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day returns on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it’s more than a one-day event—it’s an opportunity for independent pharmacy owners to lead public health efforts in their own backyards.

For many of our IPC members, this is a powerful moment to show your community that your pharmacy isn’t just a place to pick up a prescription—it’s a trusted resource for safety, education, and wellness.

1. Curbing Prescription Drug Misuse

Prescription drug abuse remains one of the fastest-growing public health concerns in the U.S. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a significant portion of prescription drug misuse stems from medications obtained from friends or family—often from the home medicine cabinet. Hosting or promoting Take Back Day helps keep these medications out of the wrong hands.

2. Keeping Our Water Clean and Wildlife Safe

Medications tossed in the trash or flushed down the toilet don’t just disappear—they can end up contaminating local waterways and soil. Drug Take Back Day offers a sustainable alternative that ensures drugs are safely incinerated, reducing environmental harm.

3. Preventing Accidents at Home

Expired and unused medications can pose serious risks—especially to children, pets, and elderly patients. Clearing them out reduces the chance of accidental ingestion, overdose, or harmful interactions.

4. Saving Lives Through Prevention

More than 100,000 people in the U.S. die from drug overdoses each year, many involving prescription medications. Every pill disposed of properly is one less that could contribute to a tragic statistic.

Since the program’s launch in 2010, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has removed more than 18 million pounds of medications from homes, streets, and communities across the country. That’s over 9,000 tons of potentially harmful drugs that will never be misused, mishandled, or end up in our environment.