What typically happens to expired pharmaceuticals in a commercial credit return program?

In a commercial credit return program, expired pharmaceuticals are typically disposed of to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. These products can pose significant risks if they remain in circulation, as they may lose potency or potentially become harmful to patients. The disposal process is carefully managed to minimize environmental impact and to comply with federal and state waste management laws.

Returning expired pharmaceuticals for credit is generally not seen as feasible due to the potential liability and lack of marketability of these products, while donating them to nonprofits is usually not allowed because of safety concerns and the inability to guarantee that the medications are still effective. Sending expired medications back to manufacturers is also not standard practice, as manufacturers often do not accept returns of expired products. Hence, the primary and most responsible approach within credit return programs is to ensure that expired pharmaceuticals are properly disposed of.