Rite Aid To Install 100 Medication Disposal Units In Select Pharmacies

(RTTNews) - Rite Aid Corp. (RAD) said it plans to install 100 medication disposal units in select pharmacies nationwide over the next year, under its new in-store safe medication disposal program. This measure is being taken by Rite Aid as part of its comprehensive strategy to address drug abuse and misuse in the country.

The company noted that the units will offer individuals a free, safe and convenient way to dispose of expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications, helping to reduce the chances of accidental or intentional misuse.

Rite Aid President and Chief Operating Officer Kermit Crawford will join U.S. Congressman Scott Perry to officially unveil the company's first in-store medication disposal unit at a press conference today at 10 a.m. at the Rite Aid Pharmacy located at 1137 Market Street in Lemoyne, Pa.

"Rite Aid's safe medication disposal program brings business sense to combating the growing public health threat and tragedy that is the opioid crisis. This is one step in the comprehensive approach to stop opioid abuse, and I applaud Rite Aid for taking such great initiative," said Perry.

Last week, Rite Aid announced that all of its more than 2,500 pharmacies would provide free DisposeRx packets to patients with new opioid prescriptions and patients with chronic opioid prescriptions every six months.

DisposeRx packets contain a biodegradable powder that, when mixed with water in the prescription vial, dissolves drugs, forming a viscous gel which may be safely discarded in the trash. Rite Aid is the first drugstore chain to offer DisposeRx packets.