[Pharmwaste] FW: appropriate disposal of expired drugs

[gressitt at uninets.net]

The prevention is what is key. Seems to be a harder discussion to have
with some people than the disposal even.
Stevan Gressitt, M.D.

> Hi Laurie, Charlotte and all,
> In MN, the MN Pollution Control Agency, who writes the permits for
> wastewater treatment plants (aka POTW) , advised all the plants to not
> accept pharmaceuticals. Because most pharmaceuticals pass through the
> plant
> directly into surface waters, by accepting them, the POTW could be
> violating the terms of their permits.
>
> For management, they have a few options: manage as hazardous waste (most
> compliant), manage as medical waste and send to incinerator, manage as
> solid waste (if they have an incinerator) or take to a Very Small Quantity
> Generator collection or household HW collection site I know they are not
> generally wanted there, but when the option is sewer.....?
>
> Again, of course, the best option is to not generate the waste
> pharmaceuticals in the first place, and I think we need to continue to
> plant the seed and keep beating that drum.
>
> --
> Catherine Zimmer
> Health Care Specialist
>
> Minnesota Technical Assistance Program
> University of Minnesota
> phone 612/624-4635
> http://www.mntap.umn.edu
>
> Helping Minnesota businesses maximize resource efficiency, increase
> energy efficiency, reduce costs, and prevent pollution
>
> On Oct 6 2008, Charlotte A. Smith wrote:
>
>>The Wisconsin DNR has come up with a grid defining the type of facility
>>that they consider a business versus a "home" with respect to the
>>enforcement of RCRA. It is our understanding WDNR expects businesses to
>>comply with existing hazardous waste regulations, including
>>pharmaceuticals. You can access the website at
>>http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Publications/pdfmemos/08-003attch.pdf
>>
>>
>>
>>I hope this is helpful.
>>
>>
>>
>>Best regards,
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Charlotte A. Smith, R. Ph., M.S., HEM
>>
>>President
>>
>>PharmEcology Associates, LLC
>>
>>12229 W. North Ave., Suite 2
>>
>>Wauwatosa, WI 53226
>>
>>414-292-3959
>>
>>414-915-4026 (cell)
>>
>>csmith at pharmecology.com
>>
>>www.pharmecology.com
>>
>>________________________________
>>
>>From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Tenace,
>>Laurie
>>Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 3:19 PM
>>To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>Cc: APittman at HCNetwork.org
>>Subject: [Pharmwaste] FW: appropriate disposal of expired drugs
>>
>>
>>
>>Here is a question from a non-member of the list serve. But I think it
>>is a good question for us to discuss and I'd like to hear of any
>>solutions other states have come up with for clinics, nursing homes,
>>vets - the people that kind of fall through the cracks - not covered by
>>homeowner's exemptions but not big enough to use reverse distribution. I
>>hate to tell them about RCRA and that they need incur costs to dispose
>>of their drugs and have been told on more than one occasion that they
>>are going to keep flushing their meds until I come up with a regulation
>>that says they can't.
>>
>>
>>
>>Any good solutions out there? Or does anyone have regulations that help
>>these very small generators?
>>
>>
>>
>>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 at dep.state.fl.us
>>
>>Mercury web pages:
>>http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm
>>
>>Unwanted Medications web pages:
>>http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
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>>
>>From: Pittman, Anita [mailto:APittman at HCNetwork.org]
>>Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 12:49 PM
>>To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>Subject: appropriate disposal of expired drugs
>>
>>
>>
>>What is the appropriate and acceptable disposal policy for prescription
>>and over the counter drugs  in a small clinic (non-narcotic)
>>
>>Thank you
>>
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>
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-- 
Stevan Gressitt, M.D.
207-441-0291
www.mainebenzo.org