What does the EPA encourage the public to use for safe disposal of prescription or OTC drugs?

• A. EPA Take Back Program
• B. Pharmaceutical take-back collection programs
• C. DEA Form 106 submission
• D. National Drug Code tracking

Answer: (B)

Safe disposal of prescription and OTC drugs is best handled through pharmaceutical take-back collection programs. These programs are specifically designed to collect unused or expired medications from households and other sources and ensure they are disposed of in an environmentally sound way, typically through secure pick-up sites, mail-back options, or community collection events followed by proper disposal methods like incineration. This approach helps prevent environmental contamination and reduces the risk of diversion or accidental exposure.

Other options don’t fit because one refers to reporting losses or theft (not disposal), another to drug identification tracking, and the term listed for a general EPA program isn’t the standard guidance used for safe medication disposal.