[Pharmwaste] RE: Pharmacy receptacles for unused meds

[Jeff Hollar]

Taylor,

 

Those are some pretty impressive pounds being collected.  I know the
consumer is not suppose to return DEA controlled substances, but what
happens when this occurs?  Is there a procedure in place to address this?  

 

Jeff Hollar

PharmWaste Technologies, Inc.

Urbandale, IA 50322

515-276-5302 (general)

515-331-7310 (direct)

515-360-9785 (cell)

www.pwaste.com <http://www.pwaste.com/> 

 

 

 

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Watson,
Taylor
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2012 2:48 PM
To: Jaramillo, Jeanie; 'pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us'
Cc: 'banachg at upstate.edu'; Farrar, Ronica
Subject: [Pharmwaste] RE: Pharmacy receptacles for unused meds

 

In Washington State we have 75 pharmacies that collect unwanted medicines
from residents.  Group Health Cooperative, a large HMO, has return bins in
all of their 25 pharmacies that operate clinics in the state.  Bartell
Drugs, a retail pharmacy chain in the Puget Sound region, offer medicine
returns at 24 of their 57 locations.  Other pharmacies collecting medicines
are individual, grocery store and retail store pharmacies.  These take-back
programs can accept all over-the-counter medicines and prescription
medicines, except those that are controlled substances (current federal
regulations allow only law enforcement to collect controlled substances).
No sharps, biohazardous or personal care products are accepted. 

 

Group Health Cooperative - residents dispose of unwanted medicines into a
secure metal bin typically located in the pharmacy waiting area.  Medicines
drop into a plastic bucket inside the bin.  When the buckets are full, they
are sealed and transported to a Group Health facility for screening,
consolidation, then transported to a high temperature incinerator.  Group
Health has been accepting unwanted medicines since late 2006, and has
collected over 75,000 pounds to date.

 

Bartell Drugs - Bartell Drugs sites also use secure metal bins for residents
to deposit unwanted medicines.  Medicines drop into a lined cardboard box -
when full they're sealed and transported to a Bartell warehouse for pick-up
by a hazardous waste disposal company where they are trucked to a hazardous
waste incinerator for disposal.  

Bartell Drugs have been collecting unwanted medicines since mid-2008 and
have collected nearly 25,000 pounds to date.  

 

Both of these pharmacy based programs operate using highly secure protocols
with no instances of diversion.  The programs are very popular with the
public and the pharmacy staff that operate them.  

 

To find out more specifics on medicine take-back in Washington go to
http://www.takebackyourmeds.org/why/how-medicine-take-back-works  

 

Taylor Watson
Pharmaceuticals Project Lead

Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County

130 Nickerson Street, Suite 100, Seattle, WA  98109

taylor.watson at kingcounty.gov | w:206-263-3072 | c:206-245-5628

Local Governments for Health and the Environment www.lhwmp.org 

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 Jaramillo,
Jeanie
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 7:55 AM
To: 'pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us'
Cc: 'banachg at upstate.edu'; Farrar, Ronica
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Pharmacy receptacles for unused meds

 

Hello All,

 

I have a colleague who is asking:

 

"Is anyone aware of any existing pharmacy(ies) currently using receptacles
at their sites to collect medications through take back efforts?"

 

If you are aware of any of these, would you please reply.  I think it would
also be helpful to include any special conditions, like 'are controls
accepted', sharps, etc or maybe just 'what is prohibited'?.  

 

Her email address is on the cc line if you would prefer to email her
directly.

 

Jeanie Jaramillo, PharmD

Managing Director, Texas Panhandle Poison Center

Director, Medication Cleanout

Assistant Professor, Texas Tech UHSC School of Pharmacy

1501 S. Coulter St.                   

Amarillo, TX 79106

P: (806) 354-1611

C: (806) 672-0833

F: (806) 354-1667

Cisco IP: 30412

 

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