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Who Can Make it Happen?

Washington needs a statewide medicine take-back program. Find out how it can happen with support from the drug companies who make and sell medicines and who should provide a safe way to take back the leftovers.


Washington needs a statewide medicine take-back pharmacy pills - flipped
program to protect our kids, families, and environment.

Leftover medicines that linger in our homes are potentially dangerous and drug take-back programs are the only safe way to dispose of medicines. Because of the dire need, some law enforcement offices and pharmacies are collecting unwanted medicines from residents.  But too many of Washington’s cities and counties lack a take-back program.  Funding is needed, and a statewide program would be more efficient and effective.

Drug Companies 

It just makes sense that the drug companies who make and sell medicines should provide a safe way to take back the leftovers. Unused pharmaceuticals put our families at risk and pollute our waters. Waste medicines should be dealt with safely, just like other toxic materials such as motor oil, fluorescent lights or batteries. Learn more.

Local Governments and Organizations

Currently local governments, retailers and taxpayers bear the financial burden for programs that dispose of unused medicines. It’s time for the manufacturers to carry their share of the weight. It’s not fair to ask businesses and taxpayers to clean up after the drug companies. Find out how local governments and organizations can work together to support passage of legislation to create a statewide medicine take-back program. Learn More.

Proposed State Law

 Even though drug companies fund drug take-back in other countries, these manufacturers have not offered to help support drug take-back programs in Washington. Over the past three years, a broad-based group of health organizations, environmental groups, police, pharmacies, children’s advocates and citizens have worked hard to pass legislation to create a statewide medicine take-back program. Drug companies have repeatedly used an army of lobbyists to block all efforts to create a common sense program that will let people safely dispose of unneeded medicines. Learn more.

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