Rite Aid makes free opioid disposal solution available to patients
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid announced on Monday that it is offering a first-of-its-kind opioid disposal solution at its 2,500-plus pharmacies across the United States.
DisposeRx packets contain a biodegradable powder that, when mixed with water in the prescription vial, dissolves drugs, forming a viscous gel that may be safely discarded in the trash.
The chain-wide availability of DisposeRx is the latest measure being taken by Rite Aid as part of its ongoing effort to address opioid and other drug abuse and misuse in the country.
"DisposeRx packets are an innovative and easy-to-use drug disposal solution and as one of the nation's leading drug stores, Rite Aid is excited to offer this solution to our patients at no cost," said Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. "While there's no single solution to the opioid crisis, practicing safe medication disposal is an important and significant step we can all take. Rite Aid pharmacists, as medication experts and one of the most accessible healthcare providers, are well-positioned to engage with their patients on this important topic."
DisposeRx packets contain a blend of solidifying materials that provide a safe and permanent solution for the disposal of unwanted, unused or expired medications, including pills, tablets and capsules. When water and the DisposeRx powder are added to drugs in the prescription vial and shaken, the drugs are dissolved and then both chemically and physically sequestered in a biodegradable, viscous gel from which they cannot be extracted. The packet can then be discarded in household trash.
Rite Aid will provide DisposeRx packets to patients with new opioid prescriptions and patients with chronic opioid prescriptions will be offered a packet every six months. Rite Aid pharmacists will provide counseling on proper use of the DisposeRx packet. In addition, all patients with opioid prescriptions will receive educational information on opioid use, safe storage, disposal and proper use of naloxone, and all patients with new opioid prescriptions will receive required counseling on their prescription from Rite Aid pharmacists.
As noted earlier, the DisposeRx Rollout is part of the company's continued efforts to address the country's opioid epidemic. Last week, its PBM, EnvisionRx, announced enhancements to its opioid and pain management program, EnvisionCare Pain Management.
DisposeRx packets contain a biodegradable powder that, when mixed with water in the prescription vial, dissolves drugs, forming a viscous gel that may be safely discarded in the trash.
The chain-wide availability of DisposeRx is the latest measure being taken by Rite Aid as part of its ongoing effort to address opioid and other drug abuse and misuse in the country.
"DisposeRx packets are an innovative and easy-to-use drug disposal solution and as one of the nation's leading drug stores, Rite Aid is excited to offer this solution to our patients at no cost," said Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. "While there's no single solution to the opioid crisis, practicing safe medication disposal is an important and significant step we can all take. Rite Aid pharmacists, as medication experts and one of the most accessible healthcare providers, are well-positioned to engage with their patients on this important topic."
DisposeRx packets contain a blend of solidifying materials that provide a safe and permanent solution for the disposal of unwanted, unused or expired medications, including pills, tablets and capsules. When water and the DisposeRx powder are added to drugs in the prescription vial and shaken, the drugs are dissolved and then both chemically and physically sequestered in a biodegradable, viscous gel from which they cannot be extracted. The packet can then be discarded in household trash.
Rite Aid will provide DisposeRx packets to patients with new opioid prescriptions and patients with chronic opioid prescriptions will be offered a packet every six months. Rite Aid pharmacists will provide counseling on proper use of the DisposeRx packet. In addition, all patients with opioid prescriptions will receive educational information on opioid use, safe storage, disposal and proper use of naloxone, and all patients with new opioid prescriptions will receive required counseling on their prescription from Rite Aid pharmacists.
As noted earlier, the DisposeRx Rollout is part of the company's continued efforts to address the country's opioid epidemic. Last week, its PBM, EnvisionRx, announced enhancements to its opioid and pain management program, EnvisionCare Pain Management.