Since 2020, Washington state’s statewide program for safely collecting unwanted medications has accepted more than 1 million pounds of drugs — about 454,000 kilograms. It is intended to prevent medication misuse and water pollution. Manufacturers pay for the collection and subsequent free disposal of prescription and over-the-counter drugs for residents.
However, a state audit identified serious problems. Rural areas lack enough collection sites, the program’s effectiveness is difficult to assess because of insufficient data, and one of its two operators, Inmar, stopped operating in the state at the end of June. This could lead to some sites closing and slow the collection and disposal of medications. In addition, the company’s departure reduced funding for state oversight: the operator was involved not only in organizing collection, transportation and destruction of medications, but also in registering participants, conducting inspections, filing reports and monitoring compliance.
Washington now has more than 400 secure medication drop boxes, but they are distributed unevenly. More than 100 cities and towns do not meet the standard of one container per 50,000 residents. In communities with fewer than 1,000 residents, the standard is not met in 91% of cases.
Seattle has more than 40 collection sites because of its high population density and large number of pharmacies, hospitals and law-enforcement facilities. Under these conditions, sites are easier to place and more cost-effective to service. In sparsely populated Columbia and Garfield counties, there are no permanent collection sites: distances between small communities are long, the volume of returned medications is low, and mountainous terrain, the remoteness of eastern Washington and limited transportation infrastructure increase costs. Residents often have to travel to a neighboring county or wait for temporary medication-collection events.
Residents in every county can mail medications free of charge in prepaid envelopes, but this option is rarely used. Lawmakers propose expanding its use, particularly in rural areas.
Auditors believe the program should be extended beyond 2029 while its requirements and funding system are revised. Current standards are virtually impossible to meet in some places, and the agency does not collect data on the types of medications being returned, preventing it from fully assessing costs and effectiveness.
Costs have exceeded revenue almost every year. In the last fiscal year, the program received $533,000 and spent $405,000, but after Inmar’s departure, expected revenue could fall below $300,000. The state will likely have to find a new operator, temporarily increase budget funding or change the fee structure. The Department of Health is calling for the fees to be reviewed in order to preserve the program and its staff.
Based on: Popular WA program to collect unused pills needs more drop-off sites