[Pharmwaste] FW: Dr. Offices and Expired Samples

Wed Sep 3 18:50:36 EDT 2014

Hi Willa and all,

Five years ago I worked with the MN Pollution Control Agency to develop both
regulatory and waste reduction guidance for "non-hospital healthcare"
facilities e.g. clinics, long term care, retail pharmacies,  veterinarians.
The results of that work are here:
http://www.mntap.umn.edu/healthcarehw/index.html

It is important to note a couple of things:  non-hospital healthcare
facilities generate many hazardous wastes in addition to pharmaceuticals and
MN regulates hazardous waste of what other states consider "conditionally
exempt small quantity generators".  Regardless of regulation, it is
important to ensure hazardous materials are managed appropriately upon
disposal, and that facilities enact waste reduction to minimize costs and
environmental/health impacts.  

Very truly yours

Catherine Zimmer, MS, BSMT

Zimmer Environmental Improvement, LLC

St. Paul, MN 

Ph:  651.645.7509

 <mailto:zenllc at usfamily.net> zenllc at usfamily.net

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Bunnell, Ross
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2014 12:37 PM
To: 'pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us'
Subject: [Pharmwaste] FW: Dr. Offices and Expired Samples

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 

www.ct.gov/deep

Conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and environment;

Ensuring a clean, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy supply.

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

leftovermeds.com <http://www.nebraskameds.org/> 

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