What must a pharmacy in Colorado do to dispose of expired or unwanted controlled substances?

A pharmacy in Colorado is required to return expired or unwanted controlled substances to authorized reverse distributors for proper disposal. This protocol is established to ensure that controlled substances are handled safely and minimize any potential risk to public health and the environment.

Authorized reverse distributors are specifically licensed facilities that are equipped to manage the destruction of controlled substances in compliance with federal and state regulations. This process helps in maintaining a secure chain of custody and prevents misuse or diversion of these substances. Returning these items to licensed reverse distributors also ensures that they are disposed of in a manner that adheres to the legal standards set forth by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and state pharmacy boards.

The other options, such as throwing controlled substances in regular trash or incinerating them on-site, are not permitted as they pose significant legal and environmental risks. Storing controlled substances indefinitely is also not a viable option; instead, they must be disposed of in a timely and regulated manner to prevent potential harm. Therefore, utilizing reverse distributors is the correct and lawful method for managing expired or unwanted controlled substances in Colorado.