SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs is committed to the safety of its customers, employees and the communities it serves. Because of the rise in abuse of prescription controlled medications and the impact it has had on the community, Bartell’s has placed additional emphasis on controlled substance safety and what it can do to help protect the community. Beginning this month, Bartell’s  announced that all 67 locations are now participating in the Washington State secure drug take-back program. This program is intended for the safe disposal of leftover and expired prescriptions.

“It is important to safeguard medicine in the home. Safe storage and disposal of medications diminish opportunities for inappropriate access. We are here to serve our community and promote safety by helping our neighbors dispose of unused medications properly.” said Billy Chow, VP of Pharmacy for Bartell’s.

The program accompanies Bartell’s standard operating procedures and guidelines related to the receiving, storing, dispensing and record-keeping of controlled substances at Bartell’s. In addition to abiding by controlled substance policies put in place by the DEA, Bartell’s has also taken measures to discontinue sales of promethazine codeine at all pharmacies.