[Pharmwaste] DEA regulatory change: some real traction?

[Price, John L.]

Charlotte: Does "a movement afoot" mean that there is finally some traction
at or within DEA for a regulatory change in response to ongoing requests from
collection programs? Or are you referring to the ongoing clatter from
community programs continuing to request a regulatory change? From the email
traffic that I've seen on this issue, so far it seems that everybody except
DEA has the stomach for a regulatory change regarding take back of controlled
substances.  If DEA is getting on board, that's progress.

Thanks, Jack.

John L. (Jack) Price

Environmental Manager

Hazardous Waste Management MS 4555

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

2600 Blair Stone Road

Tallahassee, FL  32399-2400

Phone:850.245.8751

Fax: 850.245.8811

john.l.price at dep.state.fl.us

www.dep.state.fl.us/waste

Please Note:  Florida has a very broad public records law.  Most written
communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public
records available to the public and media upon request.  Your e-mail is
communications and may therefore be subject to public disclosure.

  _____  

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Charlotte A.
Smith
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 4:50 PM
To: Lucy Doroshko; Andria Ventura; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Pharmwaste Digest, Vol 3, Issue 12

 

Hello! There is a movement afoot to get DEA to change the regulations to
enable reverse distributors to be able to accept controlled substances from
consumer via the mail. This already happens to some extent with product
recalls. Some of the reverse distributors, such as Capital Returns, are
researching this approach. Consumers could receive mailback instructions when
they pick up their prescriptions at the pharmacy. Once the DEA hurdle is
overcome, funding is the next challenge. Product stewardship would seem a
logical choice, since reverse distributors could document which drug company
manufactured the drug if it was in the original container and a chargeback
could be issued. Original containment will not always be the case but could
account for a majority of the returns. Otherwise we still haven't solved the
issue of controlled substances being diverted, involved in poisonings, and
entering the ecosystem. 

 

Charlotte A. Smith, R. Ph., M.S., HEM

President

PharmEcology Associates, LLC

200 S. Executive Drive, Suite 101

Brookfield, WI 53005

262-814-2635

Fax: 414-479-9941

csmith at pharmecology.com

www.pharmecology.com

H2E Champion for Change Award 2004

  _____  

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Lucy Doroshko
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 3:44 PM
To: Andria Ventura; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] RE: Pharmwaste Digest, Vol 3, Issue 12

 

I know that DEA is becoming more aware of this problem and the fact that so
many community programs are being asked by residents to manage their waste
pharmaceuticals.  I like your idea, Andria.  What about different colored
containers (dayglo purple or some such) so that patients would remember that
the drug is a controlled substance?  I already know the negative part of that
idea ... then the criminal element would more easily be able to identify
discarded medication in the trash.  But, has the idea of different colored
containers for controlled substances been put forth?

 

Lucy Doroshko, Recycling Specialist
Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance Section
MDEQ Environmental Science and Services Division
525 W. Allegan, One North
PO Box 30457
Lansing, MI  48909-7957
517/373-1322
FAX:  517/241-0858
doroshkl at michigan.gov

 

Check the DEQ Recycling Website at www.michigan.gov/deqrecycling


>>> "Andria Ventura" <aventura at cleanwater.org> 1/30/2006 4:40 PM >>>

Regarding the issue of controlled substances, would it be possible to
institute a policy requiring pharmacists to inform patients that a
prescription is controlled, and therefore, not acceptable for drop off later
on when they dispense the drug?

Andria Ventura
Clean Water Action

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/pipermail/pharmwaste/attachments/20060131/0b0ad778/attachment.html