Project Medicine Drop

• Frequently Asked Questions

P.L. 2015, c.66, which becomes effective on January 1, 2016, requires prescribers and pharmacies to provide a notice about drug take back programs upon dispensing to each patient a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) prescription medication. Specifically, the new law requires:

• Prescribers to furnish to each patient, with any CDS prescription drug or medicine dispensed for that patient as permitted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:9-22.11, a notice prepared by the Division of Consumer Affairs; and

• Pharmacies that dispense prescription drugs (other than long-term care pharmacies) to distribute, with any CDS prescription medication that is dispensed to an individual located in New Jersey, a notice prepared by the Division of Consumer Affairs.

• A copy of the notice prepared by the Division is available for download on the Division's website at:
  • NJConsumerAffairs.gov/meddrop/Documents/Unused-Medications.pdf (English)
  • NJConsumerAffairs.gov/meddrop/Documents/Unused-Medications-Spanish.pdf (En Español).

In order to comply with the requirements of P.L.2015, c.66, prescribers and pharmacies must do one of the following:

1. Download the Division notice from the Division's website and provide a hardcopy to the patient;


2. Download the Division notice from the Division's website and email an electronic copy to the patient; or


3. Post a copy of the Division notice in a conspicuous location and insert the following text in another document (for example, the prescription drug monograph) that is provided to the patient:
   

   SAFE and SECURE MEDICINE DISPOSAL
   Unused medications that remain in your medicine cabinet are susceptible to theft and misuse. To prevent medications from getting into the wrong hands, New Jersey's Office of the Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs urge you to properly dispose of your expired and unwanted prescription medicine at a nearby Project Medicine Drop location.  DROP OFF IS SIMPLE, ANONYMOUS AND AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY – 365 DAYS A YEAR, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Simply bring in your prescription and over-the-counter medications and discard them in an environmentally safe manner. Always scratch out the identifying information on any medicine container you are discarding. For a list of Project Medicine Drop locations, please visit http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/meddrop.