A program that permits pharmacies to accept and destroy customers' unwanted prescription drugs has done little to reduce the epidemic of painkiller abuse in the United States.
When the Drug Enforcement Administration announced the voluntary initiative last year, substance abuse experts said it would have a major impact, The New York Times reported.
However, there has been little response to the program. Only about one percent of pharmacies nationwide have created drug disposal programs, and none of them belong to the two largest drug store chains, CVS and Walgreens.
The two companies have concerns about the cost and security risks, government and industry documents suggest, The Times reported.
Another roadblock is that at least eight states do not allow pharmacies to take back controlled substances from customers.
