[Pharmwaste] Illinois Prohibits Health Facilities from Flushing Meds

Thu Aug 20 12:06:10 EDT 2009

Speaking of crawling through policies...  

>From what I have read, it appears this regulation only restricts the disposal of “unused medications" that are in solid dosage forms – pills, tablets, capsules, and caplets.  

I suspect that there may be a few healthcare facilities in Illinois that received an OK from the POTW/DEA/EPA to dispose of RCRA DEA controls down the drain.  A good example of a DEA control that is also RCRA waste when disposed of is Chloral Hydrate (U034).  If this regulation restricts the disposal of Chloral Hydrate capsules and suppositories down the drain, I suspect these facilities will be scrambling around to find a licensed TSDF that is registered by the DEA to accept controlled substances for disposal.  Although this is a viable option, the cost may raise some eyebrows.  

I know of at least two licensed TSDF’s that can accept DEA controlled substances for incineration.   

Jeff Hollar

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PharmWaste Technologies, Inc.

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From: TBadrick at aol.com [mailto:TBadrick at aol.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 8:51 PM
To: Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: Re: [Pharmwaste] Illinois Prohibits Health Facilities from Flushing Meds

Its unlikely you would see it in the drain effluent, but a complete no-brainer to come in and ask employees or review policies. Given there are RCRA regulated drugs...since oh say the 1970's you have an open door to come in and inspect by the State. My former employer had a 2 year old hospital with a catch basin where sharps were found...its not that hard to find mistakes if you know where to look and want to find them.  

Actually it wouldn't be that hard to sample a sink or hopper and find trace on the surface as evidence. 

If I were in Illinois I'd be crawling thru the policy manuals tonight...all of them to make sure nothing is missed.  Having spent enough time in hospital committees changing policy in a healthcare system, you are looking at 6 months or more work at a minimum.

I applaud the State of Illinois for doing this even though the bulk of pharm pollution does not come from healthcare settings.  Its a start and one which will reverberate throughout the entire healthcare system, thus to customers.

In a message dated 8/19/2009 1:04:49 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov writes:

Unless someone is ‘caught in the act’ of flushing unused medications, I don’t know how they could monitor and enforce this given the amount of medications that are excreted.  A positive result will be awareness along with better guidance and SOPs in health care facilities.

********

http://wwn-online.com/articles/2009/08/17/illinois-prohibits-health-facilities-from-flushing-meds.aspx

Illinois Prohibits Health Facilities from Flushing Meds

Aug 17, 2009 

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Aug. 10 signed several key environmental bills, including one that will prohibit health care institutions from flushing unused medications into public wastewater. Other legislation will track water usage by high capacity wells throughout the state.

“This action is another important step in protecting our state’s precious natural resources,” said Quinn. “Keeping our water safe from unused medications and tracking water usage will help us preserve our waterways for future generations.”

Senate Bill 1919 creates the Pharmaceutical Disposal Act and was sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) and Rep. Karen May (D-Highwood). The new law provides that health care institutions may not discharge, dispose, flush, pour or empty any unused medication into a public wastewater collection system or septic system. Violators are subject to a fine.

"For years, disposing unused or expired medicines in wastewater was common, even recommended practice. Today, we’re making clear how serious we are at stopping this practice before Illinois faces an environmental or community health crisis," said Sen. Garrett.

The bill can be found here:  http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1919 <http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1919&GAID=10&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=76&GA=96> &GAID=10&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=76&GA=96

Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov (NEW!)
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents
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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