[Pharmwaste] RE: Interesting 'destruction' of controlled substances

Ed Gottlieb EGottlieb at cityofithaca.org
Fri Dec 19 13:48:49 EST 2014


Burke,

Thanks for sharing this story.

I want to make two points, one about the news story and the other about the disposal product that is mentioned.

The news story included a photo of the new box located outside the police station, with video monitoring.  I have seen other stories showing new boxes installed outside of law enforcement buildings.  The DEA was clear on this point:
§ 1317.35 Collection by law enforcement. (3) Collection receptacles located inside law enforcement’s physical
address.
§ 1317.75 Collection receptacles. 1) Inside a collector’s registered location, inside law enforcement’s physical location, or at an authorized long-term care facility;

Any thoughts about how information about the new DEA requirements can be communicated to law enforcement agencies?  They are making an effort to be a part of this solution, how can we help them to get it right?

Would an organization you have a connection to submit letters to the editor of law enforcement trade magazines?  I'd be happy to help write the letter.  Other ideas?  Thanks!

Selling the Element MDS as pharm waste disposal solution that, "Can accommodate controlled substances unlike mail-in kits" appears to me to false in two respects.  First, mail-in kits may now used to collect controlled substances. Second, if "can accommodate" is a reference to their claim, "Renders the medication undesirable", it does not meet the DEA requirement for the medication to be "unrecoverable".

They manufacturer states, possibly accurately, that with it you can " MEET ALL SMART RX GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY THE FDA AND EPA."  As previous posts have discussed, these agencies have not updated their guidelines to be in harmony with the new DEA rule.  Note the absence of the DEA in their claim.

Ed Gottlieb
Chair, Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal
Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
525 3rd Street
Ithaca, NY  14850
(607) 273-8381
fax: (607) 273-8433
________________________________
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] on behalf of Lucy, Burke at CalRecycle [Burke.Lucy at CalRecycle.ca.gov]
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 12:22 PM
To: 'pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us'
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Interesting 'destruction' of controlled substances

WPD receives ‘drop off box’ for disposal of medicine, December 18, 2014
http://www.williamsondailynews.com/news/home_top-news/150936594/WPD-receives-drop-off-box-for-disposal-of-medicine
“The drugs will be destroyed by transferring them to an Element MDS system. The system consists of a disposable bottle where the drugs will be transferred to and an MDS powder packet will be added along with water. The lid is then tightened on the bottle which will auto lock and cannot be removed. The bottle will be shaken to mix the contents and all medicine inside the bottle will dissolve. The bottle is then ready to be placed in a trash receptacle for safe disposal.”

According to the manufacturer’s brochure apparently for “many people in medical, environmental, and regulatory groups,” (http://elementmds.com/wp-content/themes/ABC-basic/images/2014%20EMDS%20WP.pdf) the benefits of Element® MDS include: “Can accommodate controlled substances unlike mail-in kits.”

Burke
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