Google unveils drug disposal locator tool
In an effort to help make it easier for consumers to dispose of unwanted and unused medication, Google has begun piloting a new feature in Google Maps that helps identify locations that offer drug disposal. Among the drug disposal locations that include hospitals and government building are CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens locations with safe disposal kiosks.
Users just search "drug drop off near me" or "medication disposal near me" to display disposal locations. The effort was announced as part of efforts to promote National Prescription Drug Takeback Day during an event at the White House in the fall and was the result of collaboration with Walgreens, CVS Health and local and state governments in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts and Maine, Google said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Google Maps are working to expand the pilot through additional location data.
For Walgreens, which has collected more than 400 tons of unwanted and unused medication since it began rolling out disposal kiosks, consumers have the option of more than 1,000 locations. It also is working on offering a drug disposal options at all of its pharmacies.
CVS Health noted that in addition to more than 900 safe medication disposal units installed at CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide, it has donated more than 900 additional units to community locations. It noted that it has collected more than 375 metric tons of medications and plans to roll out 1,100 disposal units to its pharmacies and police departments by the end of the year.
Users just search "drug drop off near me" or "medication disposal near me" to display disposal locations. The effort was announced as part of efforts to promote National Prescription Drug Takeback Day during an event at the White House in the fall and was the result of collaboration with Walgreens, CVS Health and local and state governments in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts and Maine, Google said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Google Maps are working to expand the pilot through additional location data.
For Walgreens, which has collected more than 400 tons of unwanted and unused medication since it began rolling out disposal kiosks, consumers have the option of more than 1,000 locations. It also is working on offering a drug disposal options at all of its pharmacies.
CVS Health noted that in addition to more than 900 safe medication disposal units installed at CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide, it has donated more than 900 additional units to community locations. It noted that it has collected more than 375 metric tons of medications and plans to roll out 1,100 disposal units to its pharmacies and police departments by the end of the year.