Direct answers, by topic

Ecopharm Returns was founded in 2022 by Daniel Vizel, PharmD, a pharmacist who saw the problems with traditional reverse distribution firsthand. The company is privately held and based in Florida.

Book a call with our team and send us your facility's credentials; we'll reach out once everything is verified. We'll get you onboarded and ready to use our services quickly.

Your facility information, your State License and your DEA certification. Our customer service team verifies your credentials, then sets up a demo of the portal for your staff.

Pharmaceutical dispensers of all types: pharmacies, hospitals and health systems, infusion centers, clinics and surgery centers, long‑term care facilities, physician's offices and pain management clinics, veterinary practices and networks, as well as manufacturers and distributors. See Industries for how the service fits each one.

Yes. We handle pharmaceutical disposal and controlled substances for veterinary practices and multi‑practice networks. Ecopharm is named on the list of DEA‑registered reverse distributors published by the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association. See Veterinary networks & practices.

Our mail‑in service gives you access to our software, so your team can create, inventory and ship your expired drugs independently. If you'd rather not handle that process, one of our qualified reps will come to your establishment and take care of the entire return. Either way, you get the same reporting and the same single check.

Each manufacturer sets its own returnable window. As a rule of thumb, product within 6 months before its expiration date and up to 12 months after it is generally eligible. We check every item against its manufacturer's policy, and anything that can't be credited is routed to compliant disposal.

No. Close‑to‑expiry or expired medications pulled from the fridge don't need to be temperature‑controlled when you send them to a reverse distributor, and this doesn't affect their returnability. Just remember to check the fridge when you review inventory.

Keep product in its original, intact packaging, use a sturdy box under 20 lbs, don't write the contents on the box and bag any liquids. Our packaging guidelines cover powders, liquids, glass and compounding materials in detail.

No. Don't attempt to remove patient labels. Let our team handle these conditions so every item is processed properly.

Biodegradable or biohazardous waste, needles and sharps (including sharps containers), non‑pharmaceutical waste and hazardous materials such as acetic acid. Talk to us about disposal for these instead.

Yes. When you return controlled substances, our software prompts them as a separate inventory. Count or measure each item to the exact amount. Once you submit the return, Ecopharm sends you a C2 Kit containing your DEA Form 222 and a return shipping label. Package the product carefully and include a copy of your inventory and a copy of your DEA Form 222.

Non‑controlled and CIII–CV medications must include an inventory list. Bag CIII–CV items separately within the same box and label them with your return number (RO#). CII medications ship separately with a DEA Form 222, using the tamper‑proof bag, label and shipping materials we provide.

Two years. DEA Forms 222 must be kept available for inspection for two years (21 CFR 1305.17). A form is valid for 60 days after it is executed, so ship your Schedule II return promptly once your C2 Kit arrives.

Ecopharm streamlines this by sending you a single check for the entire return within 90 days. Send us a note or give us a call for further details.

In the portal's Returns & history screen. Every return is listed with its status, return summary, cover letter, payment dates and amounts, and you can filter by date or return number.

Yes. Ecopharm is registered with the DEA as a reverse distributor, licensed in Florida by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and accredited by NABP as a Drug Distributor. See Compliance for what each framework requires of our process.

Book a call or email us. Tell us what your diligence or audit requires and we'll send the licensing and registration documents you need.

Yes. We help pharmacies prepare for DSCSA requirements and put compliant, audit‑ready tracking workflows in place. FDA's exemption for small business dispensers runs to November 27, 2027, and the requirements already apply to all other dispensers. See DSCSA for how it affects your pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical waste, controlled substance waste (Schedules I–V), hazardous controlled substances, RCRA hazardous waste, aerosols, needles, compounding materials and biomedical waste.

Ecopharm provides your team with tools that direct you to the correct waste bin. Scan the product and the software does the rest.

Yes. Consumer Take‑Back helps patients dispose of unused medication safely and helps facilities offer take‑back to their community. See Consumer Take‑Back for how it works.