Unwanted pharmaceutical formulation disposal system

Abstract

Systems and methods for disposing of unwanted pharmaceutical formulations are provided. systems and methods that an individual may use for disposing of unwanted pharmaceutical formulations are provided. Even more specifically, systems and methods that that an individual may use for disposing of unwanted pharmaceutical formulations that include combining the unwanted pharmaceutical formulation with a pharmacological agent activity mitigation component in a disposal container, placing the disposal container in a delivery package, and shipping the delivery package for disposal are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of disposing of an unwanted pharmaceutical formulation, the method comprising:
 providing a disposal container;   providing a pharmacological agent activity mitigation component;   combining the unwanted pharmaceutical formulation and the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component in the disposal container;   sealing the disposal container;   providing a delivery package, wherein the delivery package is impermeable;   providing an absorbent component in the delivery package; and   placing the disposal container in the delivery package.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disposal container is pre-loaded with the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding liquid to the unwanted pharmaceutical formulation and the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component in the disposal container. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising agitating the disposal container after the liquid has been added. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising adding a sequestering agent to the disposal container, wherein the unwanted pharmaceutical formulation, the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component, the sequestering agent, and the water form a highly viscous mass. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component is a sequestering agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding a distressing agent to the disposal container. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component is provided in a carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component is activated carbon and the carrier is a water-soluble pod. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component is activated carbon and wherein the activated carbon is in a free-form configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent component comprises a sheet of porous material impregnated with an absorbent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the absorbent component is contained in a water-soluble film or paper. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent component comprises a superabsorbent material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery package is pre-addressed and pre-paid for delivery to a remote location capable of disposing of pharmaceutical formulations. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery package further comprises tracking indicia. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disposal container comprises a pouch and the delivery package comprises an envelope, wherein the envelope is sized to receive the pouch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is performed by a subject prescribed the unwanted pharmaceutical formulation or an agent thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A system for disposing of an unwanted pharmaceutical formulation, the system comprising:
 a pharmacological agent activity mitigation component;   
       a disposal container configured to house the unwanted pharmaceutical formulation and the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component;
 a liquid impermeable delivery package configured to send the disposal container from a subject prescribed the unwanted pharmaceutical formulation, or an agent thereof, to a remote location for disposal of the unwanted pharmaceutical formulation; and 
 an absorbent component for placement in the delivery package. 
 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the disposal container is pre-loaded with the pharmacological agent activity mitigation component. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the absorbent component comprises a sheet of porous material impregnated with a superabsorbent material.