[Pharmwaste] Walgreens Launches First Nationwide SafeMedicationDisposal Program

[Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA)]

I hope whatever program is resurrected or created includes controlled substances. It has to. People will still hang on to them and the abuse problem won't get the attention it deserves or the disposal outlet needed without full collection being available.

________________________________
From: Gayle Gray [hmagayle at hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 11:41 PM
To: dwyatt at centralsan.dst.ca.us; Gayle Gray; Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA); pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Walgreens Launches First Nationwide SafeMedicationDisposal Program

Well things sure changed since we discussed Walgreens.  Now Walgreens and Sharps incorporated have been given a cease and desist order.  I am hoping when the new rules and regulations from the DEA and Attorney General come out this options is again available.  We at least still need better options.


Gayle Gray RN, BSN, MHS {CEO}
Rx Rescue, LLC
PO Box 190197
Boise, Id   83719
(208) 514-9652
gayle.gray at rxrescue.net<mailto:gayle at rxrescue.net>
www.rxrescue.net<http://www.rxrescue.net/><http://www.rxrescue.net/>

________________________________

Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:41:34 -0700
From: dwyatt at centralsan.dst.ca.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Walgreens Launches First Nationwide SafeMedicationDisposal Program
To: gayle.gray at rxrescue.net; Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us; lists.dep.state.fl.us pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us



I don't know if things have changed with Sharps Inc., but at one point they were allowed to take controlled substances from reverse distributors, the reason they have law enforcement staff onsite. It wasn't in case they received them, it's because they were allowed to accept them as a DEA approved disposal site. As you know CS's returned to a reverse distributor for disposal are inventoried and are still in the system, unlike the CS's collected from the public. I wouldn't go as far as to say Sharps Inc. can knowingly accept them from non-reverse distributors yet.

Sharps Inc's DEA approval to accept CS's outside the reverse distributor system has been granted and rescinded a few times over the past couple years, mainly because the Dallas DEA office says Washington has no local oversight.

David Wyatt, HHW Program Supervisor
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District - HHWCF
5019 Imhoff Place, Martinez, CA 94553
925.335.7714 Fax: 925.335-7737
www.centralsan.org<http://www.centralsan.org/>
dwyatt at centralsan.org<mailto:dwyatt at centralsan.org>

"Protecting Public Health and the Environment"

>>> "Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA)" <Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us> 10/12/2010 11:42 PM >>>
I disagree. People will purchase these envelopes at Walgreens, put whatever they've got at home in them and mail them. Some may wonder what a controlled substance is, ask their pharmacist and may decide not to include them. Sharps, Inc. will receive controlled substances. Have you checked their compliance history or checked with DEA in TX? I have not had time to confirm what I've heard through the grapevine. Sharps, Inc. notes they have a police officer on-site in case they receive controlled substances.  This is because they know they will get them.  DEA could approve the receipt of CS given the presence of law enforcement on site, as they do for collection events in every state. This has not occurred. Does anyone know why not? The point of transfer between DEA registrants is interesting and would seem to confirm that they cannot accept them.

S3397 does not take away any existing DEA controlled substance possession requirements, it paves the way for rule making to change the requirements.  If it is done within 2 years, I'd be pleasantly surprised. Meanwhile, I support the position of our Board of Pharmacy, which has requested that Walgreens remove the mailers.

________________________________
From: Gayle Gray [gayle.gray at rxrescue.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 7:45 PM
To: Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA); pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us; 'Sherri Harward'; 'Jeff Wilcox'
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Walgreens Launches First Nationwide Safe MedicationDisposal Program


>From the research that we have done: they are not taking controlled substances because even if they have law enforcement at the site, DEA registrants are not allowed to take medications from anyone but DEA registrants.  The new legislation S3397 that is currently with the President  takes away this requirement.  At least I hope it does, once the Attorney General gets done writing the regulations.



The DEA really doesn’t have anything to say about this process because they only deal with controlled substances, and this process does not.  It is technically sound.  They have gotten the US postal services to transport and the Incinerator approval that they can accept.



Gayle Gray  RN BSN MHS {CEO}

Rx Rescue LLC

4310 Mustang Dr.

Boise, ID 83709

(208) 514-9652

gayle.gray at rxrescue.net<mailto:gayle.gray at rxrescue.net>

www.rxrescue.net<http://www.rxrescue.net/>





From: Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA) [mailto:Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us]
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 3:14 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Walgreens Launches First Nationwide Safe MedicationDisposal Program



As far as we can tell, it is because they don't have approval from DEA to do so.  However, they will get them.  The Board of Pharmacy here is discouraging them from using these unless and until we get some confirmation from DEA that the Sharps, Inc. program is legit.



________________________________

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of DeBiasi, Deborah (DEQ) [Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov]
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 4:11 PM
To: Amy.Roering at co.hennepin.mn.us; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Walgreens Launches First Nationwide Safe MedicationDisposal Program

        Does anyone know why they are not taking back controlled substances too?  The news release states that they will have a law enforcement official present to view the envelopes, which would seem to satisfy most state laws regarding the handling of controlled substances.
Deborah L. DeBiasi, Virginia DEQ
Office of Water Permit and Compliance Assistance Programs
Email:   Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov
PH:         804-698-4028
-----Original Message-----
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Amy.Roering at co.hennepin.mn.us
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 4:55 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Walgreens Launches First Nationwide Safe MedicationDisposal Program
Walgreens (Deerfield, Il) announced that it is now selling TakeAway (TM) envelopes.
The service is restricted to non-controlled substances.  The article reports the envelopes will not be opened prior to incineration.
http://news.walgreens.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5343
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