[Pharmwaste] what federal agencies actually say about medicine disposal

[Susan Boehme]

The summary of advice from the federal government is interesting.  At one point USFWS also had advice (contradictory to EPA).  Is that still the case?  My quick search didn't reveal it.  And does USGS also post advice?

Susan E. Boehme Ph.D.
Principal Consultant
ERM
Sediment and Watershed Integrated Management Practice (SWiM)

295 Madison Avenue, Suite 8A
New York, NY  10017

T: +1 212 803 0206
F: +1 212 447 1904
M: +1 917 345 4514
susan.boehme at ERM.com<mailto:susan.boehme at ERM.com>
www.erm.com<http://www.erm.com/>

From: Pharmwaste [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Tenace, Laurie
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2016 8:01 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> [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


________________________________

This electronic mail message may contain information which is (a) LEGALLY PRIVILEGED, PROPRIETARY IN NATURE, OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY LAW FROM DISCLOSURE, and (b) intended only for the use of the Addressee (s) names herein. If you are not the Addressee(s), or the person responsible for delivering this to the Addressee (s), you are hereby notified that reading, copying, or distributing this message is prohibited. If you have received this electronic mail message in error, please contact us immediately at (617) 646-7800 and take the steps necessary to delete the message completely from your computer system. Thank you,

Please visit ERM's web site: http://www.erm.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/pipermail/pharmwaste/attachments/20160411/4713d129/attachment.html>