[Pharmwaste] FW: Dr. Offices and Expired Samples

[Bunnell, Ross]

Willa:

Here in Connecticut, we regulate biomedical waste as "special waste," meaning that it cannot be disposed of in the regular trash.  In addition, biomedical waste transporters have to be licensed under our rules in CT.  In our experience, most medical practices that generate waste medications also generate biomedical waste.  Many of the permitted biomedical waste haulers in CT are also permitted to accept hazardous and non-hazardous waste pharmaceuticals.  As a result, most medical practices simply have their biomedical waste hauler take away their waste medication while they are picking up the biomedical waste.  If you have a similar regulatory situation in Nebraska for biomedical waste, then the medical providers in your state may be able to properly and economically dispose of their excess meds this way.  Even if you don't, companies like Stericycle, Waste Management Healthcare Solutions, Veolia, and Daniels SharpSmart (just to name a few of the larger, national companies) can probably provide waste hauling services in your area for waste meds.

I should also note that medical practices should also undertake efforts to reduce or eliminate the amount of waste medications that they generate.  In particular, they should be cautious about accepting samples from drug company reps, especially ones that they are not 100% sure they will be able to distribute to patients for their intended use.

--Ross Bunnell
Senior Sanitary Engineer
Waste Engineering & Enforcement Division
Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06105-5127
P: 860.424.3274|F: 860.424-4059 |E: ross.bunnell at ct.gov<mailto:ross.bunnell at ct.gov>

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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 Willa M. Tharnish
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2014 12:48 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Dr. Offices and Expired Samples

Good day to each of you,

My name is Willa Tharnish and I'm working with Dan King on the Nebraska MEDS Disposal Pilot Project in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Nebraska MEDS is working with local pharmacies to offer safe and legal medication disposal while educating the community about how properly dispose of their leftover medication.

Another focal point of the grant is to better understand how small business dispose of leftover, unused, or expired medication.  That being said, I just received a phone call today from a doctor's office that is challenged with how to properly dispose of leftover pills, diabetic pins, inhalers, and other various liquids. The Assistant Office Manager stated that they have bags of leftover items. In years past she was able to dispose of the pills at DEA Medication Take-back events but they didn't accept the other items from her.  She also stated that the Pharmaceutical Sales Rep would take the medication back for disposal.

I am wondering if anyone in this list serve has additional information about how their communities have dealt with small business medication disposal? Is there any best practice guidance on small business disposal?  Are there any Pharmaceutical Sales Reps that are taking back expired medication? Has anyone else researched the quantities and current practices of doctor's offices, veterinary clinics, hospice, assisted or independent living communities in their community?

The exchange of knowledge, expertise, and guidance on any of these questions would be extremely helpful to point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your time and have a wonderful Wednesday,

Willa Tharnish
Nebraska MEDS Grant Coordinator
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
3140 N Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
402-480-1956
wtharnish at lincoln.ne.gov<mailto:wtharnish at lincoln.ne.gov>
leftovermeds.com<http://www.nebraskameds.org/>
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