Resources

Get Educated

Abuse of narcotics, amphetamines and other controlled substances is currently the fastest-growing public epidemic, nationally and worldwide. We’ve compiled timely resources to help fight diversion where the impacts are most personal—within local communities. An educated advocate is an effective advocate. Learn more about the reality of prescription medication diversion and how limiting access to unused, unwanted or expired medications can make a difference.

Get The Facts

Did you know it’s illegal for a medical provider to collect or hold unused, unwanted or expired medications, even when those medications are retained under lock and key? Disposing of medications is such a modern concept that even seasoned practitioners are often unfamiliar with DEA policy, the Code of Federal Regulations and the legal ramifications of collecting prescribed medications without a proper disposal plan. That’s where NarcX® can help. Whether your needs involve occasional disposal of a small amount of pills or comprehensive destruction of narcotic and non-narcotic substances collected in a drug take-back program, we have a solution for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is NarcX the ONLY "on-site" method of destruction that is in accordance with DEA's strict definition of Non-Retrievable that can be used by a DEA registrant in the United States (DEA, CFR, & EPA compliant)?

NarcX is the only method of on-site destruction that has numerous scientific independent-validations proving NarcX meets DEA’s definition of non-retrievable. Other companies continue to only make unsubstantiated claims that they are DEA & CFR compliant based on theories and studies.
Registrants using these companies are subject to the potential revocation or suspension of their DEA Registration as they do not meet the DEA definition of non-retrievable.

What are the approved methods of destruction by the DEA?

In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Final Rule on the disposal of controlled substances, DEA stated “DEA is not requiring, endorsing, authorizing, or recommending any particular method of destruction so long as the desired result–Non-Retrievable– is achieved and the method is compliant with all federal, state, tribal, and local laws and regulations.”

Does NarcX® work on all medications?

NarcX® is designed to work with controlled and non-controlled substances, including pills, tablets, capsules and liquid medication. NarcX is not to be used with hazardous drugs.

Who tested NarcX®, and what did they test for?

An independent DEA-registered analytical laboratory was engaged in testing and validating that NarcX® renders the medication—both controlled and non-controlled substances—non-retrievable in under two hours. NarcX® had no control or influence over the results of the lab tests.

What is the definition of non-retrievable?

Per 21 CFR 1300.05: Non-retrievable means, for the purpose of destruction, the condition or state to which a controlled substance shall be rendered following a process that permanently alters that controlled substance’s physical or chemical condition or state through irreversible means and thereby renders the controlled substance unavailable and unusable for all practical purposes. The process to achieve a non-retrievable condition or state may be unique to a substance’s chemical or physical properties. A controlled substance is considered non-retrievable when it cannot be transformed to a physical or chemical condition or state as a controlled substance analog. The purpose of destruction is to render the controlled substance(s) to a non-retrievable state and thus prevent the diversion of any such substance to illicit purposes.

Is there a version of NarcX® for law enforcement?

NarcX Plus® is effective for the disposal of illegal/illicit substances that are confiscated by law enforcement agencies.

Where is NarcX® currently available?

In the first phase of its launch, NarcX® will be marketed in the U.S. to hospitals, pharmacies, law enforcement, government agencies, medical practitioners and DEA-registered reverse distributors, since we believe that is where we can make the greatest impact. We anticipate expanding into international markets sometime in the next year.

What size of NarcX® do I need?

Visit our Products page for information on pill capacity and recommendations for your type of organization.

How do I place an order?

Contact NarcX® at 1.800.307.2514 to speak with a representative or complete one of our web contact forms.

How do I dispose of NarcX®?

To dispose of NarcX®, seal the bottle or drum with the provided tamper-proof cap. Bottles can be safely thrown in the trash or collected by your local waste management company. Drums can be collected by your local waste management company or NarcX® can arrange pickup through one of our contracted vendors. Contact us for more information.

How can I get on autoship?

After your initial order, you can get on autoship by contacting your NarcX® sales representative or calling 1.800.307.2514.

Does NarcX® expire?

NarcX® has a 24-month shelf life. After medication has been added, NarcX® expires within 6 months.

Can a DEA registrant dispose of there controlled substances in the sink or toilet?

No. On February 22, 2019, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Rules and Regulations were published prohibiting “sewering.” DEA registrants cannot pour their controlled substances down the sink or toilet as this has directly led to the contamination of water systems throughout the United States.

Can a DEA registrant mix there controlled substances with kitty litter or coffee grounds and then throw them in the trash?

No. DEA stated in their Rules and Regulations that such methods did not render controlled substances non-retrievable.

Has the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) approved incineration as an acceptable method of destruction?

No. In the Final Rule on Disposal of Controlled Substances, where the DEA responded to several commenters who asked the DEA to specifically recommend incineration as the preferred method to achieve a non-retrievable state, the DEA refused to do so. The DEA said, “the DEA is specifying a required result– non-retrievable– rather than a required method for achieving that result.”

Can a DEA registrant place a controlled substance in a container that has a liquid in it or in a powder that requires a liquid (solidifier) to be added to it and then be picked up by a DEA registered reverse distributor to be taken to an EPA approved incinerator to be render non-retrievable?

No. Unless the controlled substance has already been rendered non-retrievable on-site before being picked up by the DEA reverse distributor, the DEA registered reverse distributor is required by DEA’s rules and regulations to be able to inventory every pill, tablet, capsule, and/or volume of liquid that it picks up from the DEA registrant. The DEA reverse distributor is required to complete a DEA Form 41 (with the National Drug Code, date, etc.) to account for every dosage unit. If not, the potential for diversion exists.

How long is a DEA registrant required to maintain there DEA Form 41?

The form must be maintained by the registrant for at least two years in accordance with 21 U.S.C. 827.

How can a DEA registrant in lawful possession of a controlled substance dispose of that substance?

(1) Promptly destroy that controlled substance using an on-site method of destruction in accordance with 21 CFR 1317, Subpart C; or
(2) Promptly deliver that controlled substance to a reverse distributor’s registered location by common or contract carrier pick-up or by reverse distributor pick-up at the registrant’s registered location.

What happens if a DEA registrant is not compliant with the DEA's rules and regulations?

The registrant is subject to administrative, civil, and/or criminal actions by the DEA (e.g. revocation of there DEA registration).

How is NarcX® compliant with DEA policy and the Code of Federal Regulations?

NarcX® meets DEA guidelines by using its proprietary formula to render pills, tablets, capsules and liquids immediately non-divertible by dissolving these substances on contact and rendering them non-retrievable within a few hours. NarcX® ingredients are all-natural, making it environmentally friendly. We are the only DEA/CFR-compliant provider of a liquid solution disposal method.

I’m familiar with products similar to NarcX®. What’s the difference?

There are a few other liquid medication disposal solutions on the market, but that’s where the similarity ends. NarcX® is the only DEA-compliant liquid solution available and has a patent pending on its proprietary formula. Other products make similar claims, but there is no scientific evidence to back them up. The neutralization they are able to achieve takes several days, and medications never fully meet the DEA definition of non-retrievable.

How does NarcX® address the diversion of unused medications that has reached epidemic proportions in recent years?

Unlike traditional collection methods or other liquid-based products, NarcX® immediately dissolves medications on-site. It also contains natural agents that make it indigestible and induce vomiting to prevent tampering or consumption. Because NarcX®is so affordable, organizations of all sizes can immediately implement a compliant medication disposal process. Versus other methods, it saves hospitals, pharmacies, law enforcement and government agencies, medical practitioners, DEA-registered reverse distributors and other organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

If a DEA registrant has a theft or lost of a controlled substance what are they required to do?

Upon discovery of a theft or significant loss of controlled substances, the pharmacy must report the loss in writing to the area DEA Field Office on a DEA Form 106 within one business day.

How much would it cost a major medical facility, such as a large hospital, to use NarcX®?

A large hospital facility could save as much as 40-60% per month over traditional methods, such as collection receptacles, to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications. In addition, because NarcX® renders medications non-retrievable on-site, the facility no longer has to comply with other costly protocols for the monitoring, retrieval and disposal of unused medications—including incineration.

What would be the main obstacle for a large medical facility to implement NarcX®?

The only opposition to converting to NarcX® would be inertia—a resistance to changing the way a facility is used to disposing of unused medications. Other than that, NarcX® is superior in every way: efficacy, cost, ease of use, environmental impact, speed of destruction, reduction of liability, and adherence to DEA regulations. It is the MOST affordable and effective method for medication disposal on the market today.

Are other on-site medication disposal methods compliant with the DEA and the CFR?

No. While other companies claim that they are compliant, their methods do not have independent scientific validations that meet DEA’s Rules and Regulations or the Code of Federal Regulations. They do not render controlled substances non-retrievable on-site in accordance with the DEA’s strict definition of non-retrievable.

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