[Pharmwaste] Secure Responsible Drug Disposal Act to allow pharmacies to collect controlled substances

[Chris Angel]

NEWS RELEASE
Issue Date 9.9.14                                                           Contact: Chris Angel


Yellow Jug Old Drugs Will Provide Turn Key Solution for pharmacies to collect controlled substances meeting all requirements of
Secure and Responsible Disposal Act.

The finals rules for the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act published by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on September 9, 2014 will allow retail pharmacies to collect controlled substances from individuals for proper disposal.
Link to new rules that go into effect October 9, 2014
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2014/2014-20926.pdf

Yellow Jug Old Drugs was started in 2008 by Great Lakes Clean Water Organization. The Rx-Waste disposal program works in partnership with local pharmacies to promote proper collection of unused/unwanted drugs to help keep our water clean. Proper disposal of unused/unwanted drugs is also a key weapon
in the fight against misuse of prescription drugs.When the new rules take effect partner pharmacies will have the first opportunity to install and maintain collection containers to collect controlled substances for disposal. Up until now, Federal regulations did not allow pharmacies to collect controlled substances. Pharmacies partnering with
Yellow Jug Old Drugs have been collecting and disposing of non-controlled substances only. The new regulations will make the process simpler and easier for patients and pharmacies resulting in more Rx-Waste being disposed of in a safe and approved manner.The pharmacies participating in the Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program currently in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana will have the first opportunity to collect controlled substances in much the same manner as they’ve been doing with non-controlled substances with slight modifications to collect
controlled substances. Pharmacies in other states will be able to provide this important service in their communities soon thereafter.Yellow Jug Old Drugs Simple Turn Key Solution Summary to collect controlled substances. www.secureresponsibledrugdisposal.org
Pharmacies Will:
1.	Register their site with DEA as a Collector. This can be done online www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov and register with Yellow Jug Old Drugs as a partner pharmacy
2.	Install collection container to permanent structure at registered site. Collection Container provided by Yellow Jug Old Drugs. Pharmacy to provide lock.
3.	Manage and maintain the collection box by replacing full jugs/inner-liners with new jugs and to document this activity with two pharmacy staff. (Sample recordkeeping log will be provided by Yellow Jug Old Drugs)
4.	Customers will be required to place all Rx-Waste into containers. This is a DEA regaultion to reduce the opportunity for diversion. Pharmacy staff must monitor to make sure that non-accepted items such as needles or flammables are not placed in collection containers.
5.	Full Jugs to be stored in secure area on site until collected by Great Lakes Clean Water Drug Disposal Technician or shipped Common Carrier for Ultimate Destruction.
Yellow Jug Old Drugs will:
1.	Provide secure, lockable collection receptacle/outer container to hold collection Jugs/inner-liner. Containers will have clearly marked signage as specified in the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act indicating Acceptable and Non Acceptable items.
2.	Provide Jugs/ inner-liner. Jugs will have unique Individual ID #s including Pharmacy DEA registration number for pharmacy to keep track of Jugs/inner liners being used, Jugs on hand, and Jugs collected. Jugs contain a dissolving gel that will render the contents including controlled and
non-controlled substances non-retrievable within minutes. Controlled and Non-ControlledRx- Waste will be co-mingled. Co-mingling and dissolving all Rx-Waste is the most secure method of collection and disposal greatly limiting opportunity for diversion.
3.	Collect full Jugs at pharmacies and transport to High Temperature Incinerator for ultimate disposal. Great Lakes Clean Water Organization is in the process of registering with DEA as a Reverse Distributor. This will allow GLCW to collect controlled substances from pharmacies for ultimate
disposal. It would also allow GLCW to collect controlled substances from Law Enforcement for ultimate disposal.4.	Provide Posters and hand-outs in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Pharmacies partnering with Yellow Jug Old Drugs cite many reasons why they provide this important service.
With more consumers being environmentally conscious, pharmacies that participate benefit by being able to demonstrate their active involvement in helping to keep our water clean.
Proper disposal of unused/unwanted drugs is a key weapon in the fight against misuse of prescription drugs.
Pharmacies that participate often see an increase in customer traffic from customers visiting their store to drop off unused/unwanted medication.

The Safe And Secure Drug Disposal Act will greatly increase the amount of Rx-Waste disposed of in a safe and approved manner. This will help keep our water clean and our communities safe.

Go to www.secureresponsibledrugdisposal.org for more info.