Prescription Drug Abuse Resource Center

Prescription drug abuse, misuse and diversion are deadly problems, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and our member companies support a number of efforts that educate communities about the dangers of prescription drug diversion and promote the secure disposal of unused and expired prescription medication.

PhRMA and our member companies will continue to collaborate with law enforcement, health care providers and others to help reduce diversion and ensure the integrity of the supply chain, and we support policy changes to strengthen law enforcement penalties for prescription drug diversion so that medicines don’t reach the wrong people. We can all contribute to the effort by appropriately using medication, as well as responsibly securing prescription medicines and promptly and safely disposing any unused medicines.

For a more in-depth explanation and background on prescription drug abuse, please see PhRMA’s Prescription Drug Abuse Issues Page.

Resources:

PhRMA Statement on Combating Prescription Drug Abuse
PhRMA Facts on Prescription Drug Abuse
SMARxT Disposal Poster
SMARxT Disposal Brochure
DEA National Take Back Day Brochure
National Council for Patient Information and Education brochure, “Think It Through”
Educational supplement, “Stay Smart, Don’t Start”
PhRMA Testimony of Kendra Martello

Organizations Joining PhRMA in the Fight Against Rx Drug Abuse:

PhRMA has actively engaged stakeholders across the spectrum of prescription drug abuse, many of which are included below. We encourage patients to look through the materials provided and use them to educate others in their communities and families on the safe use and disposal of their prescription medicines.

SMARxT Disposal Program
DEA National Take Back Day
American Medicine Chest Challenge
The Partnership for Drugfree America
D.A.R.E. America
National Association of School Nurses Prescription Drug Abuse Toolkit
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
Consumer Healthcare Products Association Stop Medicine Abuse Project
National Consumer League Medicine Adherence Campaign

Other Resources:

Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration
The National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy State and Local Statistics on Drug Use
National Institute on Drug Abuse Prescription Drug Abuse Resource Page

Pharmaceutical Company Programs:

Prescribe Responsibly is a free online resource sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., featuring content addressing the concerns of frontline health care professionals about the appropriate and responsible prescribing of opioid pain therapies. Prescribe Responsibly offers articles and case studies authored by experts in pain management, psychology and addiction medicine as well as resources for pain and risk assessment.

Smart Moves, Smart Choices is a national initiative to inform parents, teens and educators about the prevalence and serious risks of teen prescription (Rx) drug abuse.  Its website provides a wealth of resources, including myth-busting facts, an interactive quiz for teens, tips for parents, and educational videos featuring Dr. Drew Pinsky, addiction medicine specialist and host of TV's "Sober House," "Celebrity Rehab" and CNN's "Dr. Drew."  As a partnership between the National Association of School Nurses and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Smart Moves, Smart Choices is especially geared to provide resources for educators, including the "Schools Get Smart, Schools Take Action" School Tool Kit.

The Tool Kit is available to educators in hard copy format or via digital download and enables middle schools and high schools to raise awareness of teen Rx drug abuse through school assemblies, lesson plans, and year-round activities.

Rx Safety Matters, developed by Purdue Pharma LP, helps healthcare professionals, families, communities and law enforcement officials learn about and utilize resources designed to help reduce the abuse and diversion of prescription medications.

AbbVie's Not in My House is a web-based resource designed to educate parents on how to prevent their home from being part of the supply chain for diversion and abuse activities.