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<DIV>Hi All,</DIV>
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<DIV>Below is a draft of a letter my group wants to send (probably this Friday) to all of our local pharmacies and their corporate HQ's (one of our local pharmacies is not part of a chain.) We may offer a free drop-box to one pharmacy if we think it will get them to participate when they otherwise wouldn't have. </DIV>
<DIV>Please send me any corrections, or other suggestions, you have for the letter. Thanks!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Ed</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">February 28, 2014</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Dear Pharmacist,</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">As you are probably aware, the DEA announced that they will publish, in March, a new rule regarding the collection and disposal of unwanted medications.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Creating the new rule was required by the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act, signed into law in 2010.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">There are several key provisions anticipated to be included in the rule, most notably allowing pharmacies to take-back all unwanted and/or unused medications, including controlled substances.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is also expected that pharmacies will be allowed to set-up collection stations in Long-term Care Facilities. Participation will be a voluntary public service; there will be no federal funding available to implement take-back programs. The rule should include requirements governing collection procedures, storage containers, and disposal requirements.</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Another expected key measure is a ban on the disposal of medications via trash or flushing.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Once the rule is published, our organization is planning a public education effort.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We would like to publicize all of the local take-back options that are available.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">We are happy that a more convenient option, compared to the drop-boxes we placed in law enforcement buildings, could soon be available. Considering the extensive publicity that CVS recently received for no longer selling tobacco, we think any pharmacy that takes advantage of this new opportunity will benefit.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Clearly, the first pharmacy in the area to offer this service will get the most media attention. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Does your pharmacy have plans to host a drop-box at your location?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If so, when is it expected to be open to the public?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We would be happy to help promote your program.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">We are available for consultation if you have any questions regarding the new DEA rule or about how to set up a take-back program.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please don’t hesitate to contact us.</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Sincerely,</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Ed Gottlieb<BR>Chair, Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal *<BR>Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator <BR><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Ithaca</st1:City></st1:place> Area Wastewater Treatment Facility<BR></FONT><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">525 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Street</st1:Street><BR><st1:City w:st="on">Ithaca</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">NY</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">14850</st1:PostalCode></st1:address><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">* The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal includes representatives of:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Tompkins</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> (TC) Health Dept., TC Administration, TC Sheriff, Lifelong (a senior’s group), Community Coalition for Healthy Youth, Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an RN “at large” member.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>More information can be found at: <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>http://www.healthyyouth.org/medication-disposal.php</FONT></FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Cc: Corporate HQ</FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>