[Pharmwaste] Drug disposal policy

DeBiasi,Deborah dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
Fri Jun 22 17:10:09 EDT 2007


	The White House Drug Policy still lists several medications that
they recommend flushing as the disposal method (see below).  Are any
states recommending this particular drug disposal policy with the 13
flushables?  You can respond to me off-list at
dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov if you like. 


Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs

Federal Guidelines:

Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their
original containers and throw them in the trash.

Mixing prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used
coffee grounds or kitty litter, and putting them in impermeable,
non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, will
further ensure the drugs are not diverted.

Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the label or
accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so.

Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programs that allow
the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper
disposal. Some communities have pharmaceutical take-back programs or
community solid-waste programs that allow the public to bring unused
drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Where these exist, they
are a good way to dispose of unused pharmaceuticals.

The FDA advises that the following drugs be flushed down the toilet
instead of thrown in the trash:

Actiq (fentanyl citrate) 
Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate) 
Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl) 
OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone) 
Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate) 
Baraclude Tablets (entecavir) 
Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate) 
Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin) 
Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine) 
Meperidine HCl Tablets 
Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen) 
Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 
Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet)

Note: Patients should always refer to printed material accompanying
their medication for specific instructions.
 
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.p
df



Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!)
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028
FAX:      804-698-4032



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