COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF PHARMACEUTICALS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/144,710 entitled “Medication Disposal Systems, Containers, and Methods for Safe Collection and Disposal of Pharmaceuticals” filed on February 2, 2021. The entire disclosure of said application is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to the disposal and deactivation of medication. More particularly, to medication disposal systems, containers, and methods for safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals and other compounds.

BACKGROUND

[0003] According to statistics from a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 11.4 million Americans misused illegal prescription opioids in 2017. In 2019, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that nearly 50,000 Americans died from opioid-involved overdoses. The economic burden in the United States for opioid misuse is estimated to be nearly 78.5 billion dollars per year. Further, it is estimated that 21-29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse the drugs. There is a critical need to decrease diversion, or illegal misuse, of controlled substances, such as opioids.

[0004] Conventional medical disposal methods and tools are rudimentary and suffer from various deficiencies. Many people flush unused medications into a public sewer system, which is undesirable as many inorganic compounds prove difficult to remove from the water supply. Further, conventional disposal tools do not fully destroy the unused medication, thereby allowing people to regain access to the unused medication. In particular, a need exists by which hospitals, pharmacies, hospice facilities, law enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and veterinary care clinics may safely dispose of pharmaceuticals, such as any highly- addictive controlled substances. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Various aspects of systems and methods are disclosed for the tamper proof disposal and deactivation of medication. In one aspect a system for tamper proof disposal of medication is disclosed. In said aspect, a tamper proof container holder comprises mounting slots and mounting tabs. The tamper proof container holder further has a lid with an opening. A container is disposed within the tamperproof container holder. The container comprises a cap with a cap lid top, a cap body with threading on an internal surface, the cap lid top connected to the cap body with a hinge, and a concave panel with regularly shaped openings on the top surface of the cap body. Further, the container has a threaded spout wherein the cap body with threading on an internal surface is threaded to engage with the threaded spout and a handle.

[0006] In another aspect, a kiosk system for tamper proof disposal of medication is disclosed. The kiosk system comprises a front panel with an access door and a lock configured to the access door. The kiosk further comprises a back panel adaptable to secure to a wall, a left side panel with a viewing cutout, and a right side panel with a viewing cutout. The kiosk further comprises a top panel with a large opening adapted with a funnel shaped receptacle that receives dry medication, the funnel shaped receptacle depositing the dry medication wherein it is only accessible through the door access on the front panel, and a bottom panel with adjustable feet. The various panels form a compartment by configuring the front panel, the back panel, the left side panel, the right side panel, the top panel, and the back panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Many aspects of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. It should be recognized that these implementations and embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure. Therefore, in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example of a medication disposal system including a one-gallon size container, which is an example of the presently disclosed medication disposal systems for tamper proof and safe collection and disposal of medications; FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example front view of the medication disposal system shown in

FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example back view of the medication disposal system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example top view of an additional embodiment of the medication disposal system shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example bottom view of the medication disposal system shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A-B, 7A-B, and 8A-B are illustrations of an example cap of the medication disposal system shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example kiosk system, which is another example of the presently disclosed medication disposal systems for safe collection and disposal of medications;

FIG. 10 is a cut-away illustration of FIG. 9, of an example kiosk system with a funnel shaped receptacle in a top panel for receiving medications.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an example kiosk system with a closed door and a large round receptacle in a top panel for receiving medication bottles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I. Example Embodiments

[0009] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a medication disposal systems, containers, and methods for safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals.

[00010] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods may provide a quantity of a chemical substance for denaturing controlled substances (e.g., denaturation of opioids).

[00011] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods may be designed for the safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals that may be received in liquid form.

[00012] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods may be designed for the safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals that may be received in solid form.

[00013] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods may be designed for the safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals and may have liquid and solid form containers along with a plurality of wall mounts and brackets.

[00014] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods designed for receiving pharmaceuticals in liquid form may include a container holder or box that may be mounted on a wall and wherein a container (or bottle) may be secured within the container holder or box.

[00015] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods designed for receiving pharmaceuticals in liquid form may include a container holder or box that may be mounted on a wall and wherein multiple containers (or bottles or vessels) may be secured within the container holder or box, such as a solids container and a liquids container within the medication disposal system. [00016] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods designed for receiving pharmaceuticals in liquid form may be sized to hold a one-gallon container or bottle.

[00017] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods designed for receiving pharmaceuticals in liquid form may be sized to hold a one-liter or 32-ounce container or bottle.

[00018] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods provide a screw cap that includes a flip top lid and a concave panel arranged inside a threaded body and wherein the concave panel may include a pattern of openings through which liquids but not solids may pass.

[00019] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods may be designed for the safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals that may be received in pill form.

[00020] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods designed for receiving pharmaceuticals in pill form may include a kiosk body that includes a front panel with an access door and lock, a back panel, two side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel arranged to provide a compartment or space for holding a waste or trash container (e.g., 1- to 20-gallon container).

[00021] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods designed for receiving pharmaceuticals in pill form may include a kiosk body that includes a funnel-shaped receptacle in the top panel thereof wherein the funnel- shaped receptacle is designed to receive small items only, such as pills, patches, sublingual films, and troches while at the same time blocking large objects, such as pill bottles, from being discarded.

[00022] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods may be designed for the safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals that may be received in pill bottle or container form.

[00023] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods designed for receiving pharmaceuticals in pill bottle or container form may include a kiosk body that includes a front panel with an access door and lock, a back panel, two side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel arranged to provide a compartment or space for holding a waste or trash container (e.g., 5- to 30-gallon container).

[00024] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed medication disposal systems, containers, and methods designed for receiving pharmaceuticals in pill bottle or container form may include a kiosk body that includes an opening in the top panel through which pill bottles or containers may be discarded.

II. With Reference to the Drawings

[00025] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, an illustration of an example of a medication disposal system including a one-gallon size container. In the example of the medication disposal system 100 for tamper proof and safe collection and disposal of medications, a container 130 is held in place or fastened with a container holder 110. According to the example, a medication disposal system 100 may be designed for safe collection and disposal of medicines or pharmaceuticals that may be received in liquid form. In other aspects the medication disposal system may accept both liquid and solid form medication. In such aspects the liquid and solid may have two entry openings or may feature a cap and lid that allows for receiving both liquid and solid medications. In other aspects, such as the kiosk example later on, the medicines may be received in solid or liquid form.

[00026] In one aspect, the medication disposal system 100 may include, for example, a container holder 110 that may be mounted on a wall via a wall mount 124 and wherein a container (or other receptacle) 130 may be secured within the container holder 110. In securing the container holder 110 to a wall, the container 130 is enclosed and becomes tamper proof in the sense that removal would require disengaging the wall mounts 124 which may be secured by a lock or other locking engagement. A wall mount assembly, in one aspect, comprises a wall mount 124 affixed to the container holder 110, wherein the wall mount 124 has mounting tabs and mounting slots. The tabs are protrusions to allow a mounting bracket to mount to a wall and slide behind the tabs into the mounting slots. In this aspect, the wall mount assembly allows rapid installation and provides tamper free security of the medication disposal system 100.

[00027] In one example, container holder 110 may be a substantially rectangular-shaped structure formed by a front panel, a back panel, two side panels (left side panel and right side panel), and a bottom panel. A holder lid 118, which may be a hinged lid, may be installed at the top of container holder 110. For example, holder lid 118 may be hingeably coupled to the top front edge of container holder 110 via a pair of hinge features 122 (e.g., one on each side). The left and right hinge features or hinges on the holder lid 118 serve to secure the container in place and prevent easy removal. Accordingly, container holder 110 is configured such that holder lid 118 opens from back to front. Further, a lock 140 (see FIGS. 3-4) may be provided in holder lid 118. For example, the lock 140 may be provided at the end of holder lid 118 opposite the hinge features 122 (i.e., toward the back of container holder 110). In one aspect the lock 140 may be a key lock, or a barrel lock. The lock in one aspect is designed to ensure tamper resistance and to secure the container within the container holder.

[00028] Continuing, the container holder 110 may include a front viewing window 112 and may have a fill line 114 marked on the front panel of thereof. Additionally, certain mounting slots 116 may be provided in the back panel of container holder 110. The mounting slots 116 of container holder 110 may be designed to engage with corresponding mounting tabs 126 of wall mount 124. Wall mount 124 may be, for example, a substantially L-shaped bracket formed by a baseplate and a backplate. Certain wall mount fasteners 128 may be adapted to the mounting slots 116 which may be provided to hold wall mount 124 on a wall or surface and also to secure the bottom panel of container holder 110 to wall mount 124.

[00029] In one aspect a container holder 110 provides a compartment for holding a container 130 so that it is secure and tamper proof, as well as may contain a composition or solution within the container that neutralizes medications. In example within the figures, a container holder 110 may be sized to hold a one-gallon sized container 130. In another example, the container 130 may be a wide-mouth F-style one-gallon plastic container, jug, or bottle that has a handle 132 and a spout (or mouth) 134. Types of plastic for container 130 may include, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any other polymeric material that may prove resistant to the medication and or inert, and is also capable of holding a solution for rendering the medication inert. Further, the material forming container 130 may be substantially transparent or at least opaque, or may be made clear for volumetric understanding to aid in exchanging containers when they are substantially full.

[00030] In the example, a cap 136 may be provided for securing to the threaded spout 134. In one example, a container 130 may include a threaded spout 134 and a plastic screw cap 136. Further, in one example, the screw cap 136 may be a flip top lid. A flip top lid allows for the rapid opening and removal of the cap without loss of the flip top lid. The flip top lid further acts as a safety measure and traps liquids and gels from spilling. Further, a holder lid 118 may include an opening 120 that allows the holder lid 118 to be closed down upon the top of container 130 such that handle 132 and threaded spout 134 are accessible. Accordingly, the shape of opening 120 in holder lid 118 may correspond to the shape of handle 132 and threaded spout 134 of container 130. In some aspects a handle may be absent from the container or the flip top lid may be a screw top lid without connection to the bottom thread base.

[00031] Further, in one example, a mounting tab 126 is provided on each side of the baseplate of wall mount 124 for retaining side-to-side the container holder 110. Further, in one example, a pair of mounting tabs 126 may be provided in the backplate of wall mount 124. Further, a pair of mounting slots 116 may be provided in the back panel of container holder 110. Accordingly, mounting slots 116 of container holder 110 may engage with mounting tabs 126 of wall mount 124 for the purpose of helping to hold container holder 110 secure in wall mount 124 (see FIG. 3). In additional aspects a pressure bracket may be arranged inside the rear portion of container holder 110. The purpose of pressure bracket is designed to hold pressure onto container 130 and thereby keep it positioned toward the front of container holder 110 and also to prevent movement of container 130.

[00032] In one example, the overall depth of container holder 110 installed in wall mount 124 may be about 199.5 mm (about 7.85 in) and the depth of container holder 110 alone may be about 197 mm (about 7.75 in). In one example the overall height of container holder 110 installed in wall mount 124 may be about 245.8 mm (about 9.67 in) and the overall width of container holder 110 installed in wall mount 124 may be about 134 mm (about 5.28 in).

[00033] In medication disposal system 100, a container 130 may hold a quantity of a chemical substance (not shown) for denaturing controlled substances (e.g., denaturation of opioids, such as fentanyl, morphine, ketamine) to the point that they are no longer available for abuse. Further, the chemical or composition within the container 130 may be used to render controlled substances non-retrievable and non-recoverable. Thus further advancing the tamper proofing, not only through the container and container holder, but through a substance within the container holder. In one aspect a denaturing product for solids may be incorporated into a solid medication holding container. Whereas a denaturing product for liquids may be incorporated into a liquid medication holding container. An example of a product for denaturing controlled substances is the Saf eMedWaste product available from Okra Medical, Inc. (Johns Island, SC).

[00034] When container 130 is installed in container holder 110, front viewing window 112 allow visual access to container 130 to monitor its fill level. When the observed fill level reaches fill line 114, then the filled container 130 may be removed and replaced with an empty container 130. Furthermore, additional indications may be placed on the viewing window 112, such as level of chemical composition needed to render liquid medicines inert.

[00035] In another aspect the container holder 110 may be sized to hold a one- liter or 32- ounce sized container. In one example, container may be a rectangular-shaped, wide-mouth, one-liter or 32-ounce plastic container, jug, or bottle that has a spout (or mouth). Types of plastic for container may include, for example, HDPE, LDPE, PET, and PVC. Further, the material forming container may be substantially transparent or at least opaque. Container holder 110 and wall mount 124 of medication disposal system may be designed to hold a plurality of varying rectangular based plastic containers that indicate which products may be received.

[00036] The container 130 may hold a quantity of a chemical substance (not shown) for denaturing or rendering inert controlled substances (e.g., denaturation of opioids, such as fentanyl, morphine, ketamine) to the point that they are no longer available for abuse. Further, the chemical in container 230 may be used to render controlled substances non-retrievable and non-recoverable. In this aspect, the chemical may be housed within the container 130 which may receive either liquid or solid medication, and thus rendering it inert. In one aspect one container is designed for opioids with a specific chemical substance that denatures opioids.

[00037] Further, in some aspects, a cap may be provided atop spout. In one example, the container 130 may include a threaded spout and a plastic screw cap. Further, in one example, screw cap may be a flip top lid, such as the flip top lid. Further, holder lid 118 may include an opening that allows holder lid 118 to be closed down upon the top of container 130 such that threaded spout is accessible. Accordingly, the shape of opening in holder lid 118 may correspond to the shape of threaded spout 134 of container 130.

[00038] In regard to the tamper proof features, a user may install the backplate of wall mount 124 to a wall or other surface. Then, the user may slide container holder 110 into the baseplate of wall mount 124. Then, the user may install a set screw to secure the bottom panel of container holder 110 to wall mount 124. Then, the user may install container 130 inside container holder 110. Then, the user may close holder lid 118 down onto container 130 and secure lock 140. In so doing, medication disposal system 100 is ready for use.

[00039] Container holder 110 and wall mount 124 of medication disposal system 200 may be formed of any rigid and strong material that is suitably strong to hold the weight of, for example, a one-liter or 32-ounce container 230 when full. For example, container holder 110 and wall mount 124 may be formed of aluminum, recycled aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, and the like. Further, container holder 110 and wall mount 124 may be powder coated or painted with antimicrobial powder coating options.

[00040] Medication disposal system 100 may be provided in any environments that wish to collect, destroy, and/or dispose of any controlled substances, such as opioids. Example environments may include, but are not limited to, hospitals, hospice, law enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, pharmacies, grocery stores, amnesty boxes, and veterinary care clinics. In operation, a user may open and/or remove cap 136 of container (or bottle) 130 and deposit some quantity of substance to be destroyed and disposed of inside container 130 that is holding the denaturing chemical. Then cap 136 is reinstalled on container 130. All the while, container holder 110 is held secure on wall mount 124 and container 130 is held locked and secure in container holder 110. The locking mechanism provides tamper proof disposal, while the chemical composition within the container renders select medications inert.

[00041] Continuing with FIGS. 1-5, a user may install the backplate of wall mount 124 to a wall or other surface. Then, the user may slide a container holder 110 into the baseplate of wall mount 124. Then, the user may install a set screw to secure the bottom panel of container holder 110 to wall mount 124. Then, the user may install one or more containers (or bottles) 130 inside container holder 110. In one aspect the container holder 110 may be a dual mount container holder capable of holding a solid container and a liquid container. Wherein the solid container does not have a concave cap for filtering solids from liquid material. In the example of a dual mount container holder the backplate and wall mount are sized for dual containers, such as two one gallon containers.

[00042] In another aspect a medication disposal system may have a cap and lid assembly wherein a user may close the holder lid 118 down onto container 130 and secure lock 140. Lock 140 is provided to prevent theft or access to container 130. In so doing, medication disposal system 100 is ready for use. Then, when container 130 inside container holder 110 is full, the user may unlock lock 140 and flip open holder lid 118. Then, the user may remove the full container 130 and replace it with an empty container 130. Then, the user may close holder lid 118 down onto container 130 and secure lock 140.

[00043] Container holder 110 and wall mount 124 of medication disposal system 100 may be formed of any rigid and strong material that is suitably strong to hold the weight of, for example, a one-gallon container 130 when full, or two one-gallon containers when full. For example, container holder 110 and wall mount 124 may be formed of aluminum, recycled aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, and the like. Further, container holder 110 and wall mount 124 may be powder coated or painted with antimicrobial powder coating options. Further, said containers may have writing on indicating the full line or whether or not the container receives solids or liquids.

[00044] FIGS. 6A-B, 7A-B, and 8A-B are illustrations of an example screw cap of the medication disposal system shown in FIG. 1. Screw cap 300 may include, for example, a threaded cap body 310, a flip top lid 312 that is coupled to threaded cap body 310 via a hinge feature 314. hinge feature 314 may be, for example, a wide hinge designed to ensure reliable repetitive opening and closing of screw cap 300. Further, flip top lid 312 may include a lid tab 316 and a lid seal feature 318. Lid tab 316 provides a mechanism that a user may easily grasp to open flip top lid 312. Further, threaded cap body 310 may include a body seal feature 320 that mates to lid seal feature 318 of flip top lid 312 when flip top lid 312 is closed. Further, a concave panel 330 that includes a pattern of openings 332 may be arranged inside threaded cap body 310 to form a grating panel through which liquids and gels but not solids may pass.

[00045] In one example, concave panel 330 includes a pattern of regularly triangle- shaped openings 332. Accordingly, screw cap 300 is designed to prevent a user from placing, for example, syringes, pill bottles, pills, patches, or any solids into a container without removing screw cap 300. The pattern of triangle- shaped openings 332 ensures good flow characteristics and rigidity to concave panel 330 in threaded cap body 310 for accepting liquid medications. Other examples of geometries such as circles allow similar properties to triangle- shaped openings, however the triangle shaped openings are better at preventing pill form and solid medications from passing. In other aspects the concave panel 330 may be removed entirely to receive solid medications. Further, the concave panel 330 may also have a narrower opening for accepting individual pills or may be designed to receive entire pill bottles.

[00046] Continuing, the screw cap 300 may be a plastic cap (e.g., HDPE, LDPE, PET, PVC). By way of example, FIGS. 6A-B, 7A-B, and 8A-B illustrate different perspectives of the screw cap 300 installed and removed from the threaded spout (or mouth) 134 of container 130. FIG. 7A shows the underside or threaded side of screw cap 300. In one example, screw cap 300 may be a 485-thread cap. Further, in one example, the diameter of screw cap 300 may be about 63 mm (about 2.48 in). Further, in one example, the thickness of concave panel 330 may be about 3.6 mm (about 0.142 in) and the largest dimension of each opening 332 in concave panel 330 may be about 4.0 mm (about 0.157 in).

[00047] Various detail drawings of an example of screw cap 300 is shown in FIGS. 6A-B, 7A-B, and 8A-B. For example, FIGS. 7A-B show perspective views of screw cap 300 in relation to but separate from threaded spout 134 of container 130. FIG. 50A shows a side view of screw cap 300 in relation to but separate from threaded spout 134 of container 130. FIGS. 6A-B shows a side view of screw cap 300 installed on threaded spout 134 of container 130. FIG. 51 shows front and back perspective views of the top side of screw cap 300. Main features of screw cap 300 may include, for example, (1) a flip top lid, and (2) a mechanism that allow liquids to be added through the mouth of a container while also blocking objects (e.g., syringes, pill bottles, pills, patches, or any solids) from entering the container.

[00048] Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, disclosed are various views of an example of a drug takeback kiosk 400, which is yet another example of the presently disclosed medication disposal systems for safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals. FIGS. 9-11 disclose, a drug takeback kiosk 400 which may be designed for safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals that may be received in pill form. In FIG. 9 a perspective illustration of an example kiosk system. FIG. 10 is a cut-away illustration of FIG. 9, of an example kiosk apparatus with a funnel shaped receptacle. FIG. 11 is an illustration of an example kiosk apparatus with a closed door and a round receptacle in a top panel.

[00049] Drug takeback kiosk 400 may include, for example, a kiosk body that includes a front panel 410, a back panel 412, two side panels 414 (left side panel and a right side panel), a top panel 416, and a bottom panel 418 arranged as shown and forming a compartment or space for holding a waste or trash container (not shown). In one example, drug takeback kiosk 400 may be sized to hold a 5- to 20-gallon plastic container. Further, the plastic container (not shown) may have a fill line marked thereon for indicating when the container is full and needs replacement. Further, the plastic container (not shown) may hold a quantity of a chemical substance (not shown) for denaturing controlled substances (e.g., denaturation of opioids).

[00050] Note that back panel 412 extends higher than top panel 416. For example, the vertical spacing between top panel 416 and bottom panel 418 may be about 42 inches, whereas the overall height of back panel 412 may be about 50 inches. Accordingly, back panel 412 may extend about 8 inches higher than top panel 416.

[00051] Additionally, a funnel shaped receptacle 420 may be provided in top panel 416. Funnel-shaped receptacle 420 may include, for example, a large opening 422 and a small opening 424. In one example, large opening 422 may be anywhere from 2-12 inches in diameter and small opening 424 may be around .5-1 inch in diameter, or between 10-25 millimeters in diameter. Further, large opening 422 of tunnel- shaped receptacle 420 may be installed about flush with top panel 416 while small opening 424 may extend downward. Namely, small opening 424 of funnel-shaped receptacle 420 may extend downward into the compartment or space inside drug takeback kiosk 400 and toward the waste or trash container (not shown). The purpose of funnel shaped receptacle 420 is to allow small items only, such as pills, to be discarded into drug takeback kiosk 400. That is, funnel shaped receptacle 420 prevents large objects, such as pill bottles, from being discarded into drug takeback kiosk 400. The funnel shaped receptacle may further accept liquid medications, wherein the compartment may house a chemical substance for rendering received medications inert. Further, the funnel shaped receptacle is designed for depositing dry medication wherein it is only accessible through the door access on the front panel. The design is tamper free as the funnel is configured into the top panel and not easily removed. Further, the locking mechanism in some aspects, is enforced by a latch or other metal latching mechanism to seal the front door from unauthorized access.

[00052] Further, an access door 426 with a door handle/lock 428 may be provided in front panel 410. Access door 426 and door handle/lock 428 allow authorized entry only to the container and its contents that is inside drug takeback kiosk 400. Further, a viewing cutout 430 may be provided in each of the two side panels 414. However, this configuration of access door 426 and the two viewing cutouts 430 is exemplary only. Other configurations are possible. For example, access door 426 may be provided in either one of the side panels 414, then a viewing cutout 430 may be provided in the opposite side panel 414, in front panel 410, or in both the opposite side panel 414 and front panel 410. The viewing cutouts 430 allow the contents of the plastic container (not shown) to be viewed with respect to the fill line marked on the container.

[00053] In one example, the overall height of drug takeback kiosk 400 may be about 1270 mm (about 50 in), the diameter of large opening 422 of funnel-shaped receptacle 420 may be about 289.5 mm (about 11.4 in), the height of funnel-shaped receptacle 420 may be about 220 mm (about 8.66 in), the height of access door 426 may be about 508 mm (about 22 in), and the width of access door 426 may be about 355.6 mm (about 14 in).

[00054] In another example the height of drug takeback kiosk 400 measured up to top panel 416 may be about 1066.8 mm (about 42 in). This height may be useful to prevent young children from accessing or placing any contents into the drug takeback kiosk 400. Further, the viewing cutout 430 may be about 304.8 mm (about 12 in) long and about 50.8 mm (about 2 in) wide. Further, in this example, viewing cutout 430 may be located near the bottom of drug takeback kiosk 400. Additional dimensions of the drug takeback kiosk 400 may be about 508 mm (about 20 in) wide and about 381 mm (about 15 in) deep. Further, the diameter of small opening 424 of funnel-shaped receptacle 420 may be about 26 mm (about 1.02 in). Further, in some aspects, the compartment may hold between 15-75 liters.

[00055] In one aspect, the drug takeback kiosk 400 may be formed of aluminum, recycled aluminum, plastic, and the like. Further, drug takeback kiosk 400 may be powder coated or painted with antimicrobial powder coating options. Further, drug takeback kiosk 400 may have adjustable feet to allow for leveling on uneven surfaces.

[00056] Referring now to FIG. 11 illustrating an example of a pill bottle trash can kiosk, which is still another example of the presently disclosed medication disposal systems for safe collection and disposal of medications. Namely, pill bottle trash can kiosk may be designed for safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals that may be received in pill bottle or container form.

[00057] Pill bottle trash can kiosk may be substantially the same as drug takeback kiosk 400, except that it is designed to hold a larger container and to receive larger objects, such as pill bottles through the large opening 422. In one example, pill bottle trash can kiosk 500 may be sized to hold a 25- to 30-gallon plastic container. Further, the plastic container (not shown) may have a fill line marked thereon for indicating when the container is full and needs replacement. Further, the plastic container (not shown) may hold a quantity of a chemical substance (not shown) for denaturing controlled substances (e.g., denaturation of opioids).

[00058] Additionally, in pill bottle trash can kiosk, funnel-shaped receptacle is replaced with a large opening 422 (e.g., 3 -inch to 4-inch diameter opening). Further, in pill bottle trash can kiosk, access door 426 is enlarged compared with access door 426 of drug takeback kiosk 400. Further, in pill bottle trash can kiosk, viewing cutouts 430 may be located near the top of pill bottle trash can kiosk rather than near the bottom.

[00059] In one example, the overall height of pill bottle trash can kiosk may be about 1270 mm (about 50 in). The height of pill bottle trash can kiosk up to top panel 416 may be about 1066.8 mm (about 42 in). This height may be useful to prevent young children from accessing or placing any contents into pill bottle trash can kiosk. Further, the viewing cutout 430 may be located near the top of pill bottle trash can kiosk. Additional example dimensions of the pill bottle trash can kiosk may be include 508 mm (about 20 in) wide and about 431.8 mm (about 17 in) deep. Further, the diameter of the large opening may be up to 101.6 mm (about 4 in).

[00060] Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be nonlimiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

[00061] For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ± 100%, in some embodiments ± 50%, in some embodiments ± 20%, in some embodiments ± 10%, in some embodiments ± 5%, in some embodiments ± 1%, in some embodiments ± 0.5%, and in some embodiments ± 0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.

[00062] Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.

[00063] Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.