[Pharmwaste] take back program in Colorado -- and the DEA...

Galvin, Dave Dave.Galvin@METROKC.GOV
Fri, 13 May 2005 13:07:14 -0700


This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand
this format, some or all of this message may not be legible.

------_=_NextPart_001_01C557F7.5ADC1AC0
Content-Type: text/plain

Thanks for that information, Laurie.  We have heard rumors of a national
move in this direction by Walgreens, so any information that anyone has on
this will be welcome.  Please share with the whole list if you know anything
about this.

 

I was amazed to see your comment at the end of your note that the DEA agent
you spoke with says that DEA "no longer has any regulatory authority" over
drugs once they are dispensed!  That is certainly not what they are telling
us out here or, from what I've heard, in other parts of the country!  While
they are focused on controlled substances, they are adamant that they
regulate them from cradle to destruction, regardless of who has them.  In
theory, they even regulate them if they are inadvertently flushed down the
toilet;  the DEA has told some wastewater treatment folks that while it
would be unlikely that they would ever go after them for having trace
amounts of controlled substances in their biosolids, they could if they
wanted to!

 

We definitely should talk some more about this issue and try to get some
better consistency of message from within DEA;  from what I can tell, every
DEA branch office has a different spin on this subject and on what a local
agency can or cannot do if they handle waste pharmaceuticals.  Does anyone
on this list have a contact within DEA that could help to address this topic
for us?

 

-- Dave Galvin

   Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County (Seattle, WA)

 

 

 

  _____  

From: Tenace, Laurie [mailto:Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us] 
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 12:06 PM
To: pharmwaste@lists.dep.state.fl.us
Cc: Scott Cassel
Subject: [Pharmwaste] take back program in Colorado

 

Hi folks,

 

I'm excited to tell you about a call I just had with Michael Yasenchak of
the DEA, stationed in Tampa.

 

Mike used to work for DEA in Colorado. Back in 1990, he and a nurse (Kathy
Chaplain) started a program to help senior citizens dispose of prescription
drugs. They worked with local pharmacies like Walgreen and Walmart and had
the take back events during senior events like health week. Seniors could
take back prescription drugs to the pharmacy and would get a $5 coupon good
for their next drug purchase at that pharmacy. The drugs were then taken to
the local landfill for disposal - by mixing with water, chemicals, cement,
crushing, or other methods - and then disposed in the landfill.

 

The program eventually spread to several states - Nevada, Utah, Arizona,
Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa - and
lasted at least 10 years.

 

Does anyone else on the list serve know about this program? 

 

I think this is encouraging - that a big retailer like Walgreen or Walmart
would give a rebate (they also donated money and helped with advertising
costs). 

 

Mike did say it took about three years to get the program rolling, so don't
give up if you are not successful right away with your own programs!

 

Mike also told me that DEA headquarters is not looking at this issue. They
only regulate drugs from import, manufacturing, and to the pharmacy. Once it
is dispensed, they no longer have any regulatory authority over them.

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

 

Laurie J. Tenace

Environmental Specialist

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

PH: (850) 245-8759

FAX: (850) 245-8811

Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us <mailto:Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us> 

 

view our mercury web pages at: 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm
<http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm> 

 

 

 


------_=_NextPart_001_01C557F7.5ADC1AC0
Content-Type: text/html
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<html xmlns:v=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" =
xmlns:o=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" =
xmlns:w=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" =
xmlns:st1=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" =
xmlns=3D"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">

<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV=3D"Content-Type" CONTENT=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Dus-ascii">


<meta name=3DGenerator content=3D"Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><o:SmartTagType
 namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" =
name=3D"PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"place"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"PostalCode"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"State"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"City"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
 /* Font Definitions */
 @font-face
	{font-family:Tahoma;
	panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
 /* Style Definitions */
 p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
	{margin:0in;
	margin-bottom:.0001pt;
	font-size:11.0pt;
	font-family:Arial;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
	{color:blue;
	text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
	{color:purple;
	text-decoration:underline;}
span.emailstyle17
	{font-family:Arial;
	color:windowtext;}
span.EmailStyle18
	{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
	font-family:Arial;
	color:navy;}
@page Section1
	{size:8.5in 11.0in;
	margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
	{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>

</head>

<body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3Dpurple>

<div class=3DSection1>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'>Thanks for that information, Laurie.&nbsp; We have =
heard
rumors of a national move in this direction by Walgreens, so any =
information
that anyone has on this will be welcome.&nbsp; Please share with the =
whole list
if you know anything about this.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'>I was amazed to see your comment at the end of your =
note
that the DEA agent you spoke with says that DEA &quot;no longer has any
regulatory authority&quot; over drugs once they are dispensed!&nbsp; =
That is
certainly not what they are telling us out here or, from what I've =
heard,
in other parts of the country!&nbsp; While they are focused on =
controlled
substances, they are adamant that they regulate them from cradle to
destruction, regardless of who has them.&nbsp; In theory, they even =
regulate
them if they are inadvertently flushed down the toilet;&nbsp; the DEA =
has told some
wastewater treatment folks that while it would be unlikely that they =
would ever
go after them for having trace amounts of controlled substances in =
their
biosolids, they could if they wanted to!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'>We definitely should talk some more about this issue =
and try
to get some better consistency of message from within DEA;&nbsp; from =
what I
can tell, every DEA branch office has a different spin on this subject =
and on
what a local agency can or cannot do if they handle waste =
pharmaceuticals.&nbsp;
Does anyone on this list have a contact within DEA that could help to =
address
this topic for us?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'>-- Dave Galvin<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'>&nbsp;&nbsp; Local Hazardous Waste Management =
Program in <st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">King</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType>
(<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Seattle</st1:City>, =
<st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">WA</st1:State></st1:place>)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<div>

<div class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font =
size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>

<hr size=3D2 width=3D"100%" align=3Dcenter tabindex=3D-1>

</span></font></div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 face=3DTahoma><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font =
size=3D2
face=3DTahoma><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> =
Tenace, Laurie
[mailto:Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us] <br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, May 13, =
2005 12:06
PM<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b>
pharmwaste@lists.dep.state.fl.us<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> Scott Cassel<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Pharmwaste] =
take back program
in <st1:State w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Colorado</st1:place></st1:State></span></font><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>Hi
folks,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>I'm
excited to tell you about a call I just had with Michael Yasenchak of =
the DEA,
stationed in <st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Tampa</st1:place></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>Mike
used to work for DEA in <st1:State w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Colorado</st1:place></st1:State>.
Back in 1990, he and a nurse (Kathy Chaplain) started a program to help =
senior
citizens dispose of prescription drugs. They worked with local =
pharmacies like
Walgreen and Walmart and had the take back events during senior events =
like
health week. Seniors could take back prescription drugs to the pharmacy =
and
would get a $5 coupon good for their next drug purchase at that =
pharmacy. The
drugs were then taken to the local landfill for disposal - by mixing =
with
water, chemicals, cement, crushing, or other methods - and then =
disposed
in the landfill.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>The
program eventually spread to several states - Nevada, Utah, Arizona,
Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa -
and lasted at least 10 years.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>Does
anyone else on the list serve know about this program? =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>I
think this is encouraging - that a big retailer like Walgreen or =
Walmart
would give a rebate (they also donated money and helped with =
advertising
costs). <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>Mike
did say it took about three years to get the program rolling, so don't
give up if you are not successful right away with your own =
programs!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>Mike
also told me that DEA headquarters is not looking at this issue. They =
only
regulate drugs from import, manufacturing, and to the pharmacy. Once it =
is
dispensed, they no longer have any regulatory authority over =
them.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>Have
a great weekend everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Laurie
J. Tenace</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Environmental
Specialist</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Florida
Department of Environmental Protection</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font =
size=3D2
  face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>2600</span></font></st1:City><font
 size=3D2><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'> Blair Stone Road, =
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">MS</st1:State></span></font></st1:place><font
size=3D2><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'> =
4555</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font =
size=3D2
  face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Tallahassee</span></font></st1:City><font
 size=3D2><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>, <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Florida</st1:State>
 <st1:PostalCode =
w:st=3D"on">32399-2400</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><o:p></=
o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>PH:
(850) 245-8759</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>FAX:
(850) 245-8811</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><a
href=3D"mailto:Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us">Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl=
.us</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>view
our mercury web pages at: </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><a
href=3D"http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm"=
>http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm</a></sp=
an></font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

</div>

</body>

</html>

------_=_NextPart_001_01C557F7.5ADC1AC0--