Health Department Announces Expired Medication Collection Drive
The Department of Health will join the DEA for a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event this Saturday at its Cupey headquarters and nearly 30 other sites across Puerto Rico.
File photoThe short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reports the Department of Health will host a medication collection on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at its central offices in Cupey
- Primera Hora states nearly 30 collection centers islandwide will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. including pharmacies, municipalities and community organizations
- Both outlets report accepted items include tablets, capsules, patches, vitamins and sealed liquid medications in original containers as well as pet prescriptions
- Health Secretary Víctor M. Ramos Otero told both outlets that safe disposal protects families and is part of efforts to prevent opioid misuse
Drive set for this weekend
The Department of Health announced on Thursday that it will participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 24. Metro Puerto Rico reported the collection will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the agency’s central offices on Calle Indo in the El Cinco sector of Cupey, San Juan. Citizens may drop off unused or expired medications via a drive-through service without leaving their vehicles.
According to Primera Hora, the DEA organizes the event twice a year. Nearly 30 centers have been activated across Puerto Rico, including locations in Bayamón, Caguas, Ponce, Aguadilla and other municipalities as well as pharmacies, veteran hospitals, churches and Lions clubs. Hours at most sites are 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Vets & pet care in Bayamón
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Disponer de manera segura de los medicamentos que ya no necesitamos es una medida de prevención que contribuye a proteger a nuestras familias y comunidades.
Our translation: Safely disposing of medications we no longer need is a prevention measure that helps protect our families and communities.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
What can be dropped off
Metro Puerto Rico reported that accepted items include pills, syrups, liquids and vitamins in their original containers. Medications for both humans and pets are allowed. The department asks participants to black out personal information on labels before delivery. Syringes and sharps will not be accepted because they require specialized handling.
Primera Hora states that tablets, capsules, patches, vitamins and properly sealed liquid medications in original containers may be turned in, along with pet prescriptions. The DEA does not accept syringes, sharps or illicit drugs. Both outlets note the collection is anonymous.
Prevention focus
Health Secretary Víctor M. Ramos Otero said in a statement carried by both outlets: “Disponer de manera segura de los medicamentos que ya no necesitamos es una medida de prevención que contribuye a proteger a nuestras familias y comunidades.” He linked the drive to Governor Jenniffer González Colón’s prevention efforts and to reducing risks of opioid misuse and accidental overdose.
Primera Hora reported that since 2010, DEA Take Back events nationwide have removed more than 20 million pounds of unused medication from homes. Ramos Otero reiterated that proper disposal helps prevent misuse, accidental poisonings and diversion of controlled substances.
Where the sources differ
Both Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora agree on the date, the Cupey location and hours, the types of medications accepted, the exclusion of sharps, and the quoted statement from Secretary Víctor M. Ramos Otero. Metro Puerto Rico focuses exclusively on the Health Department site and drive-through format while Primera Hora lists nearly 30 islandwide centers and notes the DEA’s broader National Take Back Day occurring twice a year. Primera Hora gives a 2 p.m. closing time for most sites; Metro Puerto Rico reports 1:30 p.m. for the Cupey site.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not give expected participation numbers, total weight of medication to be collected, or how the gathered drugs will be destroyed. They also do not specify whether additional Health Department or DEA collection events are scheduled for the remainder of 2026 or detail any follow-up prevention programs tied to this drive.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Salud anuncia recogido de medicamentos vencidos
- Reporting Salud anuncia recogido de medicamentos vencidos
- Reporting Anuncian recogido de medicamentos este sábado
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora both reported the announcement from the Department of Health and carried similar statements from Secretary Víctor M. Ramos Otero. The list of additional collection sites and the nationwide statistic on pounds collected rest solely on Primera Hora.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.