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<p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black">Any day now, a seriously flawed New York State chain pharmacy take-back bill could be signed into law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span><a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/a387/amendment/b"><span style="COLOR: #0563c1">https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/a387/amendment/b</span></a><br>
It would do a poor job of providing convenient take-back and who pays for it is wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span><br>
<br>
This could be the leading edge of a wave of state bills that shield manufactures from any responsibility for the collection and disposal of their unwanted products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>To prevent this, we need to take action!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>
(Suggestions <span style="BACKGROUND: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow">highlighted</span> below.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span><br>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><br>
The bill requires pharmacies with 10 or more stores in the state to offer take-back option<u>s</u> (plural in the NY bill).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Pharmacies could choose among any legal method, including: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>mail-back, home disposal products, collection events (no frequency specified), and kiosks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span><br>
<br>
It appears that the original Senate version of the bill required that all take-back be free to consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>It was amended to allow the pharmacies to pass on 100% of the cost of mail-back envelopes to consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>The final version, amended by the Assembly, allows them to pass on up to $2 of the cost of mail-back envelopes to consumers, with other take-back options remaining free. Does your inner cynic wonder, as mine does, if the change from "free" to "pay 100% for
mail-back" was a bait and switch to get the support of legislators?<br>
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<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black">My interpretation of the bill is that it would be easy for chain pharmacies to comply with the law.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They could sell small take-back envelopes for $2 and sponsor a once-a-year collection event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black">When
I spoke with representatives of a couple of chain pharmacies, they were supportive of the compromise version because it releases them from having to install kiosks, which take more effort and are seen as a liability risk (something EPR bills need to address!).
</span></p>
<p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black"></span> </p>
<p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black">The bill does nothing to increase take-back in rural areas without a chain pharmacy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span></span></p>
<p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><o:p></o:p></span> </p>
<p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black">The bill also preempts local law, so existing EPR laws will be struck down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>This totally relieves manufactures of any responsibility to organize or pay for take-back and puts the full burden on chain pharmacies and consumers. <br>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; BACKGROUND: yellow; COLOR: black; mso-highlight: yellow">If you don't live in NY and want to see an effective pharmaceutical EPR law in your community or state, or don't want to see your local EPR
law disappear, please educate state legislators about EPR <u>now</u>.</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; BACKGROUND: lime; COLOR: black; mso-highlight: lime">*</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; BACKGROUND: yellow; COLOR: black; mso-highlight: yellow"> If
they don't get the facts, a state chain pharmacy bill will probably look like a good compromise solution.<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; BACKGROUND: yellow; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow">If you are a New Yorker, please ask Governor Cuomo to veto A.387-B,
the chain pharmacy take-back bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It could be sent to his desk for a signature any time, so contact him right away! He will have to hear from many of us to consider a veto, the bill had strong, bipartisan support.</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman",serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" dir="ltr">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt 0.25in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">Talking points: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">This bill is a give-away to the pharmaceutical manufactures, relieving them of any responsibility for the collection and disposal of their
unwanted product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Chain pharmacies and consumers will have to pay for take-back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">It fails to provide effective take-back of unwanted household medications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Courier New"; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: Ignore">o<span style="FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">Charging $2 for a small mail-back envelope is a strong disincentive to participate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Courier New"; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New""><span style="mso-list: Ignore">o<span style="FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">Many rural communities are not served by chain pharmacies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>This bill does nothing for them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">Without convenient take-back options, medicine cabinets will continue to fuel the opioid addiction crisis, accidental poisonings, and environmental
contamination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">It preempts any local law related to take-back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Rockland County’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) law, will no longer be valid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Similar bills, including those under consideration in Erie and Westchester Counties, will be moot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>The only reason for preemption is to ensure that manufactures won’t have to pay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list: Ignore">·<span style="FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">MA & VT, along with many municipalities, have passed pharmaceutical EPR laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>NY should improve upon those models and take the lead on this important public health issue!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt 0.25in"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN">Contact
</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">Governor Cuomo's office</span><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN">
by phone:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><span style="COLOR: black"><a href="tel:15184748390"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: #0563c1; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN">1-518-474-8390</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman",serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt 0.25in"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN">Web form:
<a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form"><span style="COLOR: #0563c1">https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt 0.25in"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN">Write:
<br>
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo<br>
Governor of New York State<br>
NYS State Capitol Building<br>
Albany, NY 12224<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; BACKGROUND: lime; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%; mso-highlight: lime">*</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">
Here are a couple of links to information on EPR:<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.productstewardship.us/?page=GoToGuide"><font color="#0563c1">http://www.productstewardship.us/?page=GoToGuide</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><a href="http://calpsc.org/products/pharmaceuticals/"><font color="#0563c1">http://calpsc.org/products/pharmaceuticals/</font></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%">Thanks for speaking
out!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Tahoma",sans-serif; COLOR: black">Ed Gottlieb<br>
Chair, Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal<br>
Board Member, New York Product Stewardship Council<br>
Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator<br>
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility<br>
525 3<sup>rd</sup> Street<br>
Ithaca, NY 14850<br>
(607) 273-8381<br>
fax: (607) 273-8433<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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