NC H683

Requires each pharmacy dispensing controlled substances to provide patients with written informational materials explaining proper disposal methods for unused, unwanted, or expired drugs and medications.

Materials must explain at least four risks of improper disposal: theft or diversion of medication, accidental ingestion by children, environmental contamination from trash or drain disposal, and theft from improperly discarded medications in household trash.

Mandates pharmacies make available on-site at least one consumer disposal method at no cost or for purchase, including at-home drug disposal products or secured medication collection kiosks or boxes.

At-home disposal products must be non-toxic and either change medication physical integrity so it is unrecognizable or chemically render active ingredients unusable with abuse deterrent properties.

Secured medication collection kiosks or boxes must comply with federal Drug Enforcement Administration requirements under 21 C.F.R. § 1317 and be clearly marked with prominent signage; law becomes effective October 1, 2021.