West Virginia MPJE (Pharmacy Jurisprudence) Practice Exam

If no disposal instructions are given on the prescription drug labeling and no local take-back program is available, how should patients dispose of drugs?

1. Flush them down the toilet

2. Incinerate them

3. Mix with an undesirable substance and place in a sealable container before discarding in trash

4. Throw them directly into the trash

The correct answer is: Flush them down the toilet

Flushing medications down the toilet is usually recommended for certain specific medications that may pose a high risk if ingested by someone for whom they were not prescribed, such as opioids or other controlled substances. This method helps to prevent potential abuse or unintentional poisoning. However, it is important to note that this is generally only suggested for medications that are specified in disposal guidelines provided by entities such as the FDA or local health authorities. While some medications can safely be flushed, this is not a blanket recommendation for all drugs. Other options such as mixing drugs with an undesirable substance and then placing them in a sealable container are often safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives for disposing of medications, especially in cases where flushing is not suggested. Therefore, it is essential to refer to the disposal instructions provided with the medication or to guidelines published by health authorities for the appropriate method of disposal. The other choices involve either methods that can create safety hazards or are not recommended for proper disposal. Mixing drugs with undesirable substances before discarding them in the trash is the more broadly accepted method unless specific instructions are given, but flushing should only be applied to those medications that warrant this method according to recognized guidelines.