[Pharmwaste] Pharmwaste Listserv concerns

[Catherine Zimmer]

Hi Jill and all,

 

Jill, thank you for coordinating the list.  I believe the list still has
value as a place to exchange information about what is happening in the
world of pharmaceutical waste.   I believe the exchanges have diminished due
to the increase in pharmaceutical waste collection-both programs and vendor
supplied systems. And, attrition on the list due to retirement and sadly,
death.  I agree with others on the list that this is not the place for
vendors to advertise their products.  

 

I also would like to see the list focus more on source reduction of
pharmaceuticals, e.g. minimized prescription sizes and minimized
prescriptions/human/animal ingestion in general.  Or, how do we prevent
these biologically active chemicals from release to the environment where a
significant body of evidence indicates Wildlife is being impacted?  If we
aren't going to source reduce drug (and other chemical waste) then, we must,
as Switzerland is doing, pay for tertiary treatment at the wastewater plant.


 

I'm curious as to what others see being done in the source reduction arena.


 

Very truly yours,

 

Catherine Zimmer, MS, BSMT

Executive director,  <http://www.hearrtmidwest.wildapricot.org/> HEARRT
Midwest

Principal, Zimmer Environmental Improvement

Improving processes, minimizing and managing waste and, reducing costs.  

T:  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 Scarborough, Jill R.
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2017 12:56 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Pharmwaste Listserv concerns

 

Hi Everyone,

 

I understand there are some concerns regarding the pharmwaste listserv.

 

Here's some details about how the listserv is managed/administered.  

*	I do not approve or disapprove new members.  I do not get
notifications about new members or about existing members changing their
preferences (for example if they unsubscribe       or change to getting a
"daily digest").
*	I do not approve or disapprove of messages.
*	Some of you may have issues with creating "bounces" and getting an
automated email (that I am not notified of) saying that your membership has
been disabled.  My understanding is that this is an issue with attachments,
links, and other things (policies enacted by your company/IT group) that
cause mail servers to kick out an email.

 

The Mailing List Manager that is used by Florida DEP is "Mailman."  It is a
free software and, according to Florida DEP's Mailing List information page,
we are using version 2.1.15.  According to the software's website, they have
two current versions: 2.1.25 and 3.1.  To my knowledge, there is no plan to
update the version that Florida DEP is using.

 

I have heard from a few members that advertisements and self-promotional
items are a nuisance and are at odds with the purpose of the listserv.  This
listserv was initially developed, in 2005, to provide an electronic location
for a national dialogue on the emerging issue of pharmaceuticals and
personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment.  There has been a steady
decrease in activity, participation, and general discussion.  This is not to
say that pharmaceuticals and personal care products are no longer an
environmental concern but rather that the need for this listserv may be
waning.

 

At the moment, there is no easy answer for how to address the issues that
have cropped up.  I welcome your solutions and would like to hear from you.
Please note, the likelihood of Florida DEP buying/paying for newer software
is low (based on the current utilization rate we have for this listserv).
It has been suggested to me that I try to find someone else (perhaps another
agency) to host and manage the listserv.  I do not think that Florida DEP
would allow a someone who is not a Florida DEP employee to be the
administrator of the listserv in its current location.

 

Again, I'd like to hear solutions if you have them.

 

Thank you,


Jill Scarborough

 

Jill R. Scarborough

Environmental Consultant

Division of Waste Management

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

850-245-8782

 

 

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