[Pharmwaste] USFWS updating medicine disposal guidance - response to comment letter

[Shield, Margaret]

Greetings.  In early November I shared with this listserv a comment letter sent to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service explaining concerns about the SMARxT medicine disposal program, a collaboration between USFWS, APhA, and PhRMA.  That comment letter had more than fifty signatories representing local agencies, law enforcement, elected officials, and individuals who encouraged USFWS to bring their medicine disposal guidance in line with other federal agencies that recommend use of medicine take-back programs.  Additional comment letters were sent in by individual agencies and organizations.

Good news: the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has responded positively to address our concerns.  See the attached response. USFWS says they will be updating the program to encourage the use of medicine take-back programs, stating:

"Given these developments and the fact the Administration has elevated the medication disposal issue as a public health concern, we are bringing the SMARxT Disposal campaign up-to-date with the current guidance and encourage the use of medicine take-back programs where available, while clarifying that disposal of unwanted medicines in the household trash is a transitional measure until drug take-back systems are available to all communities."

We hope to see that updated guidance on the SMARxT website and materials soon.  This change will provide clearer, consistent information to consumers about safe disposal of leftover medicines.

Thanks to all who worked on this!
Margaret

Margaret Shield PhD, Policy Liaison
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County
130 Nickerson Street, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98109-1658
(w) 206-263-3059

Protect Our Kids, Families, and Environment - www.TakeBackYourMeds.org

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