[Pharmwaste] FDA, Infuse and general responsiveness

[Catherine Zimmer]

Hi Margaret and all,

 

Given the discussion about lack of consistency and appropriate disposal
guidance on the part of federal agencies, esp. FDA, I thought the following
story published in yesterday's Mpls Star Tribune might shed a bit more
light-FDA is overworked, not very responsive and maybe not acting in the
best interest of citizens:
http://www.startribune.com/question-of-risk-medtronic's-lost-Infuse-study/37
2957441/

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

Catherine Zimmer, MS, BSMT

Executive director, HEARRT Midwest

Principal, Zimmer Environmental Improvement, LLC

Reducing and managing healthcare related waste and costs for fifteen years.


St. Paul, MN 

Ph:  651.645.7509

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

 

From: Pharmwaste [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf
Of Tenace, Laurie
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2016 7:02 AM
To: 'pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us'
Subject: [Pharmwaste] what federal agencies actually say about medicine
disposal

 

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] 
Sent: Thursday, April 7, 2016 4:14 PM
To: 'Pharmwaste' <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
<http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafel
y/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm#Flush_List
> list of medicines recommended for disposal by flushing.

 

 

Margaret Shield, PhD

Community Environmental Health Strategies, LLC

 <mailto:margaret.shield at CEHstrategies.com>
margaret.shield at CEHstrategies.com

mobile:  206-499-5452

 

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