New Secure Medicine Return Program

Safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted medicines 

King County residents can safely dispose of the medicines they no longer need by taking  them to a drop-box located throughout King County. Participating pharmacies, clinics, hospitals and law enforcement offices will accept most prescription and over-the-counter medicines for disposal. Mail-back envelopes are also available for residents that are home bound or have limited mobility. There is no cost to residents to use this service.

Help keep our kids, families and communities safe


Children can be curious
Children can be curious and can get into medicines or mistake them for candy. A leading cause of preventable poisoning for children under age six is medicines found in the home. Safely storing what you need and disposing of what you don’t helps keep families safe.

 

Teens believe it’s safe
Many teens mistakenly believe it is safe to misuse prescription and over-the-counter drugs because they get them from the home. More than half of teens surveyed say they get the drugs they abuse from their family or friend’s medicine cabinet, often without anyone’s knowledge.  Safely disposing of what you no longer need reduces access.

 

Seniors keep loved ones safe
More than 50 percent of seniors take more than 5 medications or supplements daily. Storing unwanted medicines with daily medications can put seniors at risk of not taking medications as prescribed and are accessible to others for misuse. Safely storing what you need and disposing of what you don’t keep families safe.

 

 

Information for collection locations

How to Participate Stewardship Plan Regulations
Pharmacies
Law Enforcement
Contact MED-Project		 Approved Stewardship Plan
Participating Drug Companies
Covered Drugs
2017 Annual Report		 Board of Health Ch. 11.50
DEA Final Rule
DEA Authorized Collector
WPQAC Guidance Document

Recent Posts

Safe, convenient drug take-back law passed by Board of Health

by King County Secure Medicine Return

The King County Board of Health passed the Secure Medicine Return Regulations on June 20, 2013, establishing an industry – funded product stewardship model to collect and safely dispose of unwanted household medicines from residents of the county. Legislation was developed through a year-long process where a subcommittee of the Board consulted with stakeholders, examined … Continue reading Safe, convenient drug take-back law passed by Board of Health

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