[Pharmwaste] what federal agencies actually say about medicine disposal

Tenace, Laurie Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us
Mon Apr 11 08:01:29 EDT 2016


Please note this did not originate with me and please always contact me if your posts do not go through - Laurie



From: margaret.shield at cehstrategies.com<mailto:margaret.shield at cehstrategies.com> [mailto:margaret.shield at cehstrategies.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 7, 2016 4:14 PM
To: 'Pharmwaste' <pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us>>
Subject: what federal agencies actually say about medicine disposal

Good afternoon,
There's persistent incomplete information circulating about federal medicine disposal guidances pertaining to trash disposal, aka "in home disposal" of medicines.
None of the federal agencies recommend trash disposal as the way to dispose of medicines.
All federal agencies recommend medicine take-back programs as better than "in-home disposal".

It's easy to verify this, but to make it easier, see the attached 3 page handout showing the current medicine disposal positions of EPA, DEA, and FDA for clarification in cases of confusion.  Please apply as needed until the symptoms are gone.

I hope the FDA will listen to the comments it is receiving and soon remove its guidance to flush certain medications.  Interestingly, even for those especially dangerous medicines, FDA recommends use of a medicine take-back program first.
Flushing of Certain Medicines
There is a small number of medicines that may be especially harmful and, in some cases, fatal with just one dose if they are used by someone other than the person for whom the medicine was prescribed. To prevent accidental ingestion of these potentially dangerous medicines by children, or pets, it is recommended that these medicines be disposed of quickly through a medicine take-back program or by transferring them to a DEA-authorized collector. If these disposal options are not readily available, it is recommended that these medicines be flushed down the sink or toilet as soon as they are no longer needed. Click here for a list of medicines recommended for disposal by flushing.<http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm#Flush_List>


Margaret Shield, PhD
Community Environmental Health Strategies, LLC
margaret.shield at CEHstrategies.com<mailto:margaret.shield at CEHstrategies.com>
mobile:  206-499-5452

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