Walgreens starts safe drug disposal kiosks in California

Business Wire

DEERFIELD - Walgreens announced it has implemented the first of two programs in California to combat drug abuse, part of a comprehensive national plan announced earlier this year to address key contributors to the crisis.

Walgreens safe medication disposal program launches in California allows individuals a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medications at no cost.

Individuals in California now have a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances and over-the-counter medications, at no cost. Walgreens has installed 50 safe medication disposal kiosks in Walgreens drugstores across the state. The safe medication disposal kiosks make the disposal of medications easier while helping to reduce the misuse of medications and the rise in overdose deaths.

"By making safe medication disposal kiosks available in select California stores and expanding to other states this year, Walgreens is taking an important first step to curb the misuse of medications throughout the country," said Alex Gourlay, president of Walgreen Co. "As a pharmacy, we are committed to playing a role in what must be a comprehensive solution to prevent prescription drug and opioid abuse."

Walgreens also is working to make naloxone, a potentially lifesaving opioid antidote, available without requiring a prescription from an individual's physician at California pharmacies. The medication is currently available with a prescription in California and can be used in the event of an overdose to reverse the effects of heroin or other opioid drugs, and is administered by injection or nasal spray.