Disposition Of Unused Medications

(1) Any unused portions of program-prescribed medication(s) must be either turned over to the service recipient with written authorization and directions by the qualified prescriber or returned to a pharmacy for proper disposition by the pharmacist. (2) Whenever a service recipient brings his/her own prescribed medications into the facility, such medications must not be administered unless identified and ordered by a qualified prescriber. If such medications cannot be administered, they must be packaged, sealed, and returned to an adult member of the service recipient’s immediate family or legal guardian/conservator, or securely stored and returned to the service recipient upon discharge. However, if previously prescribed medication(s) would prove harmful to the service recipient, they may be withheld from the service recipient and disposed of as in paragraph one (1) above. There must be documentation by the qualified prescriber in the service recipient’s clinical record citing the dangers or contraindications of the medication(s) being withheld.