[Pharmwaste] RE: LA Times article on new DEA drug drop off back sites

Mon Sep 8 16:42:00 EDT 2014

Sorry, I was being snarky. This is a bad article and it will probably be copied all over the US.

In MN, we need to change our board of pharmacy statutes before pharmacies can collect, we also need to assess things like generator status, which I’m guessing DEA didn’t address based on the call Q/A. Pharmacies in MN won’t be able to collect until the statutes become effective, if the Board can get to them this session. I’m telling anyone in MN that cares to listen that it is going to be July or Sept of 2015 at the earliest before pharmacies can collect. In addition, EPA and states have given out some hefty fines to retail for mismanaging the waste they generate and most chains are developing protocol for proper waste management--they might be real tired of dealing with waste issues.

From: DSkalecki at aol.com [mailto:DSkalecki at aol.com]
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 3:32 PM
To: Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA); pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: Re: [Pharmwaste] RE: LA Times article on new DEA drug drop off back sites

The thing not discussed in the announcement is the related disposal costs to the pharmacies/healthcare providers for the pickup and destruction of these returned medications. Since it is now posted, I intend to read the regulation to better understand what other impact (besides financial) it will place on pharmacies/institutions. Examples of questions that immediately come to mind include:  Will the pharmacies need to identify and sort the hazardous drugs from non-hazardous ones?  Will the returned drugs impact the provider's hazardous waste generator status?   If not addressed in the regulation, further clarification and guidance will be needed regarding these and other important issues for the proper disposal of waste pharmaceuticals.

Before taking drugs to a pharmacy, I would recommend contacting the pharmacy/facility to determine their willingness to accept unused prescription drugs for disposal.

In a message dated 9/8/2014 3:48:39 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jennifer.volkman at state.mn.us<mailto:jennifer.volkman at state.mn.us> writes:
Well then, I will bag mine up and bring them to my pharmacy later today! ☹

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Tenace, Laurie
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 2:21 PM
To: 'pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us'
Subject: [Pharmwaste] LA Times article on new DEA drug drop off back sites

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-dea-new-drug-takeback-sites-20140908-story.html?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fnews%2Fnationworld%2Fnation+%28L.A.+Times+-+National+News%29

In an effort to address the nation’s growing prescription drug abuse problem, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will now allow hospitals, clinics and pharmacies to collect unused prescription drugs.

The DEA’s new regulation will also provide residents at long-term health facilities with the option of turning in unused prescription drugs on-site.

“We are expanding drug take-back efforts by introducing new ways for people to safely dispose of old or unused prescription drugs,” said Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. in a video message. “Through new DEA regulations, patients will be allowed to more easily join the fight against prescription drug abuse.”

Government officials said the sites offer a more environmentally-friendly alternative to disposing of the prescription drugs at home.

Holder described prescription drug abuse as an “urgent and growing threat.”

According to a survey released last week from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there were about 6.5 million people, ages 12 years or older, taking prescription drugs for non-medical purposes in 2013. In 2011, prescription drugs played a role in more than half of the 41,300 unintentional deaths from drug overdoses.

“These shocking statistics illustrate that prescription drug addiction and abuse represent nothing less than a public health crisis,” Holder said. “And every day, this crisis touches — and devastates — the lives of Americans from every state, in every region and from every background.”

In the last four years, the DEA has hosted eight national take-back events, in which Americans can drop off unwanted or expired prescription drugs at designated sites. More than 4.1 million pounds of prescription pills have been collected and disposed of. The next take-back event will be on Sept. 27.

The take-back events are part of the Obama administration’s broader efforts to prevent drug abuse and trafficking. In October 2010, President Obama signed into law the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act, amending the Controlled Substances Act by giving the attorney general the ability to promote regulations that allow for patients to drop off unused prescription drugs to “appropriate entities for disposal.”

Laurie Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Waste Reduction Section
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400
850.245.8759
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us<mailto:Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us>

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