[Pharmwaste] Do drug collection programs address possession of controlled substances that are not in their original containers?

[Grasso, Cheri]

To add to what Charlotte said:
The FDA lists using a medicine take-back first under how to safely dispose of unwanted household meds:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/EnsuringSafeUseofMedicine/SafeDisposalofMedicines/ucm186187.htmEPA
And this from the EPA:
EPA encourages the public:
*  to take advantage of pharmaceutical take-back programs or household hazardous waste collection programs that accept pharmaceuticals
*  If there are no take-back programs near you,
[*]   contact your state and local waste management authorities<http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wyl/stateprograms.htm> (the disposal of household waste is primarily regulated on the state and local levels) with questions about discarding unused pharmaceuticals, whether or not these materials meet the definition of hazardous waste
[*]   follow any specific disposal instructions that may be printed on the label or accompanying patient information
 http://www.epa.gov/ppcp/faq.html#how; (scroll up) and
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/3107c4ef782947eb852577a50058cc88?OpenDocument

Cheri Grasso
Pharmaceuticals Project
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County
130 Nickerson Street, Suite 100 | Seattle, WA  98109 | 206-263-3089
Local Governments for Health and the Environment www.lhwmp.org<www.lhwmp.org%20>
Protect our Kids, Families, the Environment  www.takebackyourmeds.org

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Smith, Charlotte
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 3:35 PM
To: MARIA DIMEGLIO; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Do drug collection programs address possession of controlled substances that are not in their original containers?

Please remember that the EPA and FDA advice regarding coffee grounds is for consumers who wish to dispose of their own prescriptions, especially controlled substances, on their garbage with their household waste. Any controlled substances brought to a collection event must be received by law enforcement. Consumers should not mix the drugs with any other substance but bring them in the original containers with labels if possible. We are all still waiting for the DEA's proposed regulations under the Safe and Responsible Drug Disposal Act.
Best regards,

Charlotte A. Smith, R. Ph., M.S.
Director, Pharmaceutical Services
WM Healthcare Solutions
Tel 713-725-6363
877-247-7430

Waste Management
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Houston, TX 77002

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From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of MARIA DIMEGLIO
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 11:10 AM
To: MARIA DIMEGLIO
Subject: Re: [Pharmwaste] Do drug collection programs address possession of controlled substances that are not in their original containers?

That's is interesting.  However, I recall when putting information together for a collection event a couple of years ago, Federal EPA recommends that pills be emptied from their containers and mixed with coffee grounds...so, which has more muscle?

Maria Francesca Di Meglio, M.S.
City of Alameda | Public Works Department
Phone:  (510) 747-7930 | Fax: (510) 769-6030 | eMail: mdimegli at ci.alameda.ca.us<mailto:mdimegli at ci.alameda.ca.us>
Help stop our 19 billion bag-a-year habit in California and put an end to plastic pollution.  <youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw>
>>> 3/27/2012 at 7:00 AM:

Hello,

We've run across a couple of city ordinances that forbid people from possessing controlled substances in anything but their original containers.  This
presents a problem because, in reality, some people carry these drugs around in other containers or keep them in pill reminders.  Or, people
(caregivers) may dispose of these drugs of behalf of someone else.

Have any other drug collection programs addressed this issue?  If so, what do you advise residents to do in these situations?


Amy Roering
Hennepin County | Department of Environmental Services | MC L-609
701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 700 | Minneapolis, MN 55415
Office phone (612) 348-8992 | Cell phone (612) 382-5790
Faxes (612) 348-6510 & (612) 348-8532
amy.roering at co.hennepin.mn.us

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