(1) A program operator must promote, and provide public outreach and education about, the safe and secure collection of covered drugs under the drug take-back program through the use of a website and written materials provided at the time a covered drug is delivered to a covered entity, and through the use of any signage, advertising or other means of fostering public awareness. At a minimum, a program operator must:

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(a) Promote the safe and secure storage of covered drugs by covered entities;

(b) Disseminate information on the inherent risks of improperly storing or disposing of opioids or opiates and other covered drugs;

(c) Discourage the disposal of covered drugs in the garbage or sewer system;

(d) Promote the disposal of covered drugs through the use of the drug take-back program;

(e) Establish a toll-free telephone number and a website address that a covered entity may use to contact the program operator about the drug take-back program;

(f) Publicize information on the location of drop-off sites, collection processes and any collection events;

(g) Work with authorized collectors to develop a readily recognizable and consistent design for repositories to be used at drop-off sites and to develop clear, standardized instructions to covered entities on how to use those repositories; and

(h) Conduct a biennial survey of covered entities and of pharmacists and health care providers who interact with covered entities.

(2) For purposes of conducting a survey under subsection (1)(h) of this section:

(a) In a form and manner prescribed by the Department of Environmental Quality, a program operator must submit proposed survey questions to the department for preapproval.

(b) Surveys must:

(A) Measure public awareness of the drug take-back program;

(B) Assess the extent to which drop-off sites, mail-back service and collection events are convenient and easy to use; and

(C) Assess knowledge of and attitudes toward the risks posed by improperly storing covered drugs and improperly discarding or abandoning covered drugs.

(3) A program operator shall coordinate with other program operators under this section to ensure that covered entities can easily identify, understand and access the services provided by all drug take-back programs that are operational in this state. At a minimum, all of the drug take-back programs that are operational in this state must provide a single toll-free telephone number and a single website address that a covered entity may use to contact program operators about the drug take-back programs and to acquire information about the location of the drop-off sites and the collection processes of the drug take-back programs.

(4) Upon request by a covered entity, a retail drug outlet, hospital with an on-site pharmacy or health care clinic with an on-site pharmacy must provide a covered entity with written materials provided by a program operator for the purpose of promoting the safe and secure collection of covered drugs at the time that a covered drug is delivered to a covered entity. [2019 c.659 § 10]

See note under 459A.200.