HCA Healthcare to host eighth annual “Crush the Crisis” national prescription drug take back day

Today, we are proud to announce HCA Healthcare’s eighth annual “Crush the Crisis” national prescription drug take back day. On Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, HCA Healthcare facilities from across the country will partner with local law enforcement to help patients, families and communities safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired medications at more than 130 collection sites, helping keep unused medications out of homes and reduce the risk of misuse. Since launching this as an enterprise-wide initiative in 2019, HCA Healthcare has helped to safely dispose of more than 100,000 pounds of unused or expired medication.

“Safe medication disposal is a simple but important step each of us can take to help prevent drug misuse and protect our communities,” said Dr. Randy Fagin, senior vice president and chief quality officer of HCA Healthcare. “As we mark eight years of Crush the Crisis, we are grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside our neighbors and community partners, working together to make the communities we call home safer and healthier for everyone.”

Each year, in alignment with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, HCA Healthcare hosts “Crush the Crisis” events to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of proper disposal of unused or expired medications. Last year, HCA Healthcare facilities helped collect nearly 20,000 pounds of unused or expired medications, equivalent to approximately 14 million doses. Removing unused medications from homes helps prevent misuse and accidental ingestion.

To help further curb the nation’s opioid crisis, HCA Healthcare proudly collaborates with and provides clinical insight to the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) Action Collaborative on Combatting Substance Use and Opioid Crises. Drawing on data from the organization’s approximately 47 million annual patient encounters, HCA Healthcare works to reduce prescription drug misuse, improve pain management and help patients recover safely, with initiatives in surgical, emergency and other care settings, including:

• Enhanced Surgical Recovery (ESR): uses several approaches before, during and after surgery aimed at managing pain, supporting recovery and reducing opioid use. HCA Healthcare’s ESR programs have demonstrated significant improvements in surgical recovery and patient satisfaction, including decreases in opioid usage.
• Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS): helps protect patients and communities by reducing opportunities for prescription drug misuse and fraud. It also gives physicians the information they need to make safer, more informed decisions when prescribing opioids.

For more information, visit HCAhealthcare.com/crushthecrisis.