[Pharmwaste] Interesting 'destruction' of controlled substances

Ed Gottlieb EGottlieb at cityofithaca.org
Mon Dec 22 14:10:38 EST 2014


I agree that the transfer from a collection box to a "disposal bottle" would be labor intensive.  Did the manufactures website even mention blister packs of sealed pills?  I can't image anyone sitting down to pop them out, not when they can show up by the bag-full.

It is correct that the word "may", in § 1317.35 (a), gives permission for law enforcement to not collect controlled substances.  If they decide to, they "may" use one or more of the three collection methods are listed.  Methods (1) & (2) are to be done in accordance with § 1317.65 & § 1317.70 respectively.  The paragraphs for take back events (§ 1317.65) are full of the word "should".  The details for mail back programs (§ 1317.70) uses the word "shall", which I read as "must".  Method (3), "Collection receptacles located inside law enforcement’s physical address." does not use the word "should".  My conclusion is that if law enforcement uses collection boxes they must be placed inside their building and that outside locations would not be permitted.  The word "should" again appears in many paragraphs following this, in reference to:  record keeping, storage, and disposal of the collected medications.

Deborah, thanks for the suggestion for what state associations we can contact to help ensure that law enforcement in our state understands the new rule.

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 Jaramillo, Jeanie [Jeanie.Jaramillo at ttuhsc.edu]
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2014 1:32 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Interesting 'destruction' of controlled substances

I would guess this would be quite a cumbersome process that is labor intensive and requires extensive handling of the medications.  They won't be able to leave liquids in their containers when they transfer them to the "disposable bottle", which means someone would have to be pouring them into the disposal containers.  Same thing with pills; assuming that they aren't having the public pour pills loosely into the collection receptacle.

Looks like this is in West Virginia...?  Anyone there interested perhaps offering them some help?  Maybe a call commending them on their program and an offer for alternative disposal if they find this method isn't working.  Or maybe a partnership...  Certainly, don't want to offend them when their working to be part of the solution.

Jeanie Jaramillo, PharmD
Managing Director, Texas Panhandle Poison Center
Asst. Professor, Texas Tech UHSC School of Pharmacy
1300 S. Coulter St., Suite 105
Amarillo, TX 79106
(office): (806)414-9299
(mobile): (806)376-0039

________________________________
From: Lucy, Burke at CalRecycle [Burke.Lucy at CalRecycle.ca.gov]
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 11:22 AM
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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