What is the primary concern when disposing of controlled substances?

The primary concern when disposing of controlled substances is ensuring that they do not become misused or diverted. Controlled substances have significant potential for abuse and can lead to serious public health issues if they are not disposed of properly. Misuse may occur if individuals find discarded medications, which can contribute to addiction or accidental overdose. Because of the high risk associated with these substances, regulations are in place to ensure their safe disposal, minimizing the chance of these medications getting into the hands of those who might abuse them.

While environmental impact is a concern in the overall disposal of pharmaceuticals, controlled substances are primarily regulated with the goal of preventing misuse and diversion. The cost of disposal might be a practical consideration for some organizations, but it is not the central concern from a regulatory or public health perspective. Patient confidentiality is indeed important in healthcare but applies more heavily to the protection of patient information rather than the disposal of medications.