[Pharmwaste] Prepping for the new DEA Rules

[Ed Gottlieb]

Hi All,
 
The new DEA rules are due to be published sometime next month.
 
Considering the amount of free media coverage CVS is getting for
announcing they will no longer sell cigarettes, I am hopeful that at
least some pharmacy chains will jump on this opportunity to stand out by
doing something that is good for public health and the environment.
 
I called the DEA office of Public Affairs to find out what they are
planning on doing when the new rules are published.  Special Agent
Joseph Moses told me that:
 
·       Every registrant approved to sell controlled substances will be
notified of the new rules.
·       Either the DEA Office of Diversion Control or the Public
Affairs office will issue a press release.
·       Some pharmacies have expressed interest in collecting
medications under the new, anticipated, rules.
·       Until they are published he can’t comment on the content of the
rules.
·       He doesn't know when they will be published.
·       The April collection event may (or may not) be the last one
they organize.
·       He will look into my question of how the DEA is planning get
the word out and get back to me next week.  He seemed to agree that a
change in the legality of trashing and flushing unwanted medications is
significant and a public ad campaign would be appropriate.  Decisions
about things like this are not his to make.
·       I should pursue my ideas for a local public education effort.

 
Are any of you considering a public education campaign to announce the
change in the law (once it is official) and promote your safe disposal
options?
 
Should we consider pooling resources to produce quality outreach
materials (print ad, flier/poster, radio and T.V. spots, and …?) to
which local disposal information can be added?  And/or should we be
encouraging the DEA to do this?
 
The group I work with, the Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal, met
today and discussed outreach ideas.
 
·        Issue a press release about the new rules.
·        Ask the Sheriff or a police chief to record a 30 second radio
PSA (free.)  We can help with the script.
·        Have this law enforcement leader pose with handcuffs raised
behind someone pouring pills in a toilet for a poster/print ad;
important that this is done with humor!
·        Enlist the help of a local high-school or college media lab to
produce a PSA for public access cable TV.  Again, the Sheriff or Chief
could be featured.
·       When it is time for the DEA spring take-back event, use the
news radio air-time we always get to talk about the new rules and local
disposal options.
·        Send a letter to all the local pharmacies, with copies to
their corporate headquarters, asking if they plan on participating in a
drop-box program and offering to help publicize it if they do.
·        Ask local municipalities to mention the new rules and promote
our drop-boxes on their websites, bulletin boards, news-letters, etc.
·        We decided to not organize a large, drive-thru collection
event in April.  Instead, we will focus our energy on promoting local
drop-boxes, both our own and any that open in pharmacies.
 
We would be happy to consider any additional outreach ideas you would
like to contribute.  Thanks!
 
Regards,
 
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
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/pipermail/pharmwaste/attachments/20140207/8baa8017/attachment.htm