DCI News

In a move to fight the growing problem of opioid abuse in our state, the Missouri General Assembly passed § 338.142, RSMo, in 2017, which gave the Missouri Board of Pharmacy authority to establish a drug take-back program for controlled substances. The Board subsequently initiated the RX Cares for Missouri Medication and Disposal Program to provide resources to authorized entities for the collection of unused/unwanted medication from the public for disposal. The Board is pleased to announce that applications for Program participation are now being accepted.

Approved program participants will be provided a collection receptacle and inner liners to collect medication from the public. Once medication is collected, the Board will pay for destruction of medication up to 12 times during the participation period at intervals selected by the participant. 

The Board has contracted with Sharps Compliance, Inc. (Sharps) to operate the program as part of Sharps’ Medsafe® drug collection/disposal initiative.

The Board of Pharmacy has created a Program Informational Guidewhich outlines the requirements of applicants and detailed information about how the program works. 

“We take our role in combatting the opioid crisis very seriously,” said Kimberly Grinston, Executive Director of the Missouri Board of Pharmacy. “We’re looking forward to putting the RX Cares for Missouri Medication Destruction and Disposal Program into action and giving Missouri citizens a safe place to dispose of unwanted or unneeded medications.”

Due to limited funding availability, applicants are urged to apply on or before October 1, 2019, and can do so on the Board of Pharmacy website.