Quality
Quality e-Newsletter
Blogs
Industry Insight
Breakthroughs Reports
Events
Sponsored
Departments Add News Widget

Prescription Drug Disposal Polices Creating Confusion

Janice Simmons, for HealthLeaders Media, July 1, 2010

Contradictory federal policies on how to dispose of unused prescription medications—plus the lack of disposal options—appear to be creating confusion among patients and providers, according to those testifying Wednesday at a hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging on drug waste and disposal.

"Odds are that many of us have half empty bottles of medicine lying around our houses. Some of us may have thought we were doing the right thing by flushing them down the toilet, or throwing them away with our trash. But these disposal methods can have a damaging effect on our environment," said the Committee Chairman Herb Kohl (D-WI), who is calling for a new federal guideline on prescription drug disposal.

Under current policies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) now post disposal guidelines that conflict with information posted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Disposing of unused or expired medications in a fashion that is simple, legal, and environmentally responsible is a challenge," said R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House?s Office of National Drug Policy Control.

Currently, his office advises controlled substance users to dispose of drugs in one of three ways: flushing them (in the case of limited dangerous drugs); throwing them in the trash with proper precautions; or participating in prescription take-back events. His group calls for flushing "exceptionally dangerous drugs" because misuse of these prescription drugs "creates a high risk" of immediate harm: "Their potential danger outweighs the potential environmental impact," he added.

The EPA and Fish and Wildlife Service, though, have opposed the flushing of prescription medications—citing studies, such as those from the U.S. Geological Survey that have found many bodies of water throughout the states contaminated by personal care products, including prescription drugs.

More take-back programs are being used across the country for the disposal and destruction of prescription drugs, but all require a waiver from the Drug Enforcement Agency if it involves controlled substances. Programs have ranged from permanent sites that accept the prescriptions to one day events. But, new ideas have been developed such as the mail/ship back program now used in Maine.

An operational test agreement was formed between the U.S. Postal Service and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency to ship unused medications in mailer envelope distributed at 150 pharmacy and health and human service agencies throughout the state, said Stevan Gressitt, MD, the founding director of the Maine Institute for Safe Medicine.

The program, implemented in 2007, handles both controlled and noncontrolled medications. All drugs undergo high heat incineration upon receipt, Gressitt said at the hearing.

One strategy that needs more focus is "to make sure drugs aren't wasted in the first place," Kohl said. This means finding ways for physicians not to over-prescribed medications. For instance, he cited another program in Maine that aims to reduce waste by limiting initial prescriptions for a list of drugs that are known to provoke adverse drug reactions in some people.

Once the patient and physician decide to continue the medication, more is prescribed. "Not surprisingly, waste also reduces costs," Kohl said. The program save Maine's Medicaid program nearly $250,000 just this year, he said.

Janice Simmons is a senior editor and Washington, DC, correspondent for HealthLeaders Media Online. She can be reached at jsimmons@healthleadersmedia.com.
3 comments on "Prescription Drug Disposal Polices Creating Confusion"


sports jerseys (9/1/2010 at 5:58 AM)
Like youth basketball jerseys and other nba jerseys, the nfl jerseys are of original but to be cheap nfl jerseys. The www.nfljerseyonline.com also offers nfl Jerseys Wholesale and nfl jerseys sale. All the sports jerseys presented are made of high-quality fabric with delicate sewing crafts and are therefore comfortable. Putting on a jersey of your favorite team will make you feel being part of them. www.nfljerseyonline provides the chance for selecting competitive low price sports jerseys. "Eagles" will always get you out of depression. site:www.nfljerseyonline.com

ugg boots (8/27/2010 at 10:21 PM)
i like<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com ">ugg boots</a>,<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-argyle-knit-5879-boots-c-14.html ">uggs</a>,<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com ">ugg australia</a>,<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com ">ugg classic</a>,<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-argyle-knit-5879-boots-c-14.html ">ugg boots uk</a>,especlially like<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com ">ugg classic tall</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-35.html ">tall ugg boots</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-35.html ">short ugg boots</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-8.html ">uggs sale</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com ">buy ugg</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-8.html ">buy ugg boots</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-crochet-5833-boots-c-1.html ">discount ugg</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-crochet-5833-boots-c-1.html ">buy uggs</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-mini-5854-boots-c-10.html ">ugg boots online</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-mini-5854-boots-c-10.html ">discount uggs</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-short-5825-boots-c-9.html ">buy cheap ugg boots</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-short-5825-boots-c-9.html ">knitted ugg boots</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-tall-5815-boots-c-7.html ">ugg boats australia</a> cheap<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-ultra-short-5225-boots-c-2.html ">ugg boats</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-nightfall-5359-boots-c-6.html ">buy ugg site</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-nightfall-5359-boots-c-6.html ">buy discount ugg boots</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-5.html ">Ladies UGG Boots</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-5.html ">UGG boots sale</a> ugg boats<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-tall-5815-boots-c-7.html ">UGG Classic Tall 5815 Boots</a> very much.there are several styles:<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-argyle-knit-5879-boots-c-14.html ">ugg 5879</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-35.html ">ugg 5803</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-8.html ">ugg 5819</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-crochet-5833-boots-c-1.html ">ugg 5833</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-mini-5854-boots-c-10.html ">ugg 5854</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-short-5825-boots-c-9.html ">ugg 5825</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-classic-tall-5815-boots-c-7.html ">ugg 5815</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-nightfall-5359-boots-c-6.html ">ugg 5359</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-5.html ">ugg 5325</a><a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/ugg-ultra-short-5225-boots-c-2.html ">ugg 5225</a> and they are the<a href="http://www.buyuggsite.com/2010-hot-selling-boots-c-3.html ">2010 Hot Selling Boots</a> <a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com ">vibram</a>is the world leader in high performance rubber soles, targeted to the outdoor, work, recreation, fashion, repair and orthopedic markets.<a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com ">five fingers</a> is the featured product of their. <a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com ">vibram five fingers </a> are very famous all over of the world<a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com ">five fingers vibram</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com ">vibram five</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-classic-c-1.html ">vibram five fingers sale</a>,there are several kinds:<a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-classic-c-1.html ">vibram five fingers classic</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-flow-c-10.html ">vibram five fingers flow</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-kso-c-13.html ">vibram five fingers kso</a>,if you want to buy <a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-classic-c-1.html ">cheap vibram five fingers</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-classic-c-1.html ">vibram five fingers surge</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-flow-c-10.html ">vibram five fingers kso black</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-flow-c-10.html ">buy vibram five fingers</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-kso-c-13.html ">vibram five fingers discount</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-kso-c-13.html ">vibram five fingers size</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-kso-trek-c-45.html ">vibram five fingers reviews</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-kso-trek-c-45.html ">vibram five fingers shoes</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-kso-trek-c-45.html ">vibram five fingers shoe</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-kso-trek-c-45.html ">the vibram five fingers</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-kso-trek-c-45.html ">vibram five fingers ebay</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-performa-jane-c-42.html ">vibram five fingers women</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-performa-jane-c-42.html ">new vibram five fingers</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-sprint-c-27.html ">vibram five finger running</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-sprint-c-27.html ">vibram five fingers hiking</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-bikila-c-44.html ">vibram five fingers Bikila</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-performa-c-41.html ">vibram five fingers Performa</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-performa-jane-c-42.html ">vibram five fingers Performa Jane</a><a href="http://www.vibram5fs.com/vibram-five-fingers-sprint-c-27.html ">Vibram Five Fingers Sprint</a> you can go to vibram5fs.com I want to buy<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ ">boots shoes</a>,my friends told me about<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ ">ugg boots</a>,they said<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ ">uggs</a> are very good,and the real brand is<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ ">ugg australia boots</a> from<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-tall-5815-boots-c-6.html ">ugg australia</a> and<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-33.html ">ugg uk</a>.<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-short-5825-boots-c-8.html ">winter boots</a> and<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-short-5825-boots-c-8.html ">fur boots</a> are very popolar in winter,especially<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-33.html ">ugg sale</a>,ugg boots sale<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-7.html ">ugg boots uk</a>.and the<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-7.html ">classic tall</a> is the classic style.<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-crochet-5833-boots-c-1.html ">ugg boots cheap</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-crochet-5833-boots-c-1.html ">sheepskin shoes</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-argyle-knit-5879-boots-c-13.html ">uggs sale</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-argyle-knit-5879-boots-c-13.html ">uggs uk</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-mini-5854-boots-c-9.html ">boots footwear</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-nightfall-5359-boots-c-5.html ">celtic sheepskin</a><a href="">love from australia</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-nightfall-5359-boots-c-5.html ">sheepskin boot</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-4.html ">slippers boots</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-tall-5815-boots-c-6.html ">classic tall chestnut</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-4.html ">ugg australia sale</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-ultra-short-5225-boots-c-2.html ">sheep skin boots</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-ultra-short-5225-boots-c-2.html ">ugg boats</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/2010-hot-selling-boots-c-49.html ">celtic sheepskin company</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/2010-hot-selling-boots-c-49.html ">sheepskin footwear</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/2010-hot-selling-boots-c-49.html ">ugg australia online</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-tall-5815-boots-c-6.html ">australia classic tall</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-7.html ">women's classic cardy</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/2010-hot-selling-boots-c-49.html ">genuine uggboots</a> There are several styles<a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-tall-5815-boots-c-6.html ">ugg 5815</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-short-5825-boots-c-8.html ">ugg 5825</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-33.html ">ugg 5803</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-7.html ">ugg 5819</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-crochet-5833-boots-c-1.html ">ugg 5833</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-argyle-knit-5879-boots-c-13.html ">ugg 5879</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-classic-mini-5854-boots-c-9.html ">ugg 5854</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-nightfall-5359-boots-c-5.html ">ugg 5359</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-4.html ">ugg 5325</a><a href="http://www.uggaustralianew.com/ugg-ultra-short-5225-boots-c-2.html ">ugg 5225</a> There are many brands of<a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com">boots shoes</a>,like<a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com">ugg boots</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com">uggs</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com">ugg australia boots</a>,ugg australia<a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-short-5825-boots-c-9.html">ugg uk</a>. They are all <a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-short-5825-boots-c-9.html">winter boots</a> and <a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-35.html">fur boots</a>.<a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-35.html">ugg sale</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-35.html">ugg boots sale</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-8.html">ugg boots uk</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com">classic tall</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-8.html">ugg boots cheap</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-8.html">sheepskin shoes</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-argyle-knit-5879-boots-c-14.html">uggs sale</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-argyle-knit-5879-boots-c-14.html">uggs uk</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-crochet-5833-boots-c-1.html">boots footwear</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-crochet-5833-boots-c-1.html">celtic sheepskin</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-mini-5854-boots-c-10.html">love from australia</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-mini-5854-boots-c-10.html">sheepskin boot</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-nightfall-5359-boots-c-6.html">slippers boots</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com">classic tall chestnut</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com">ugg discount</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-5.html">ugg australia sale</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com">ugg boots discount</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-5.html">sheep skin boots</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-5.html">ugg boats</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-ultra-short-5225-boots-c-2.html">celtic sheepskin company</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-ultra-short-5225-boots-c-2.html">sheepskin footwear</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-ultra-short-5225-boots-c-2.html">ugg australia online</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/2010-hot-selling-boots-c-3.html">australia classic tall</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/2010-hot-selling-boots-c-3.html">women's classic cardy</a> and the<a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/2010-hot-selling-boots-c-3.html">genuine uggboots</a> have this styles:<a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com">ugg 5815</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-short-5825-boots-c-9.html">ugg 5825</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-bailey-button-5803-boots-c-35.html">ugg 5803</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-cardy-5819-boots-c-8.html">ugg 5819</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-crochet-5833-boots-c-1.html">ugg 5833</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-argyle-knit-5879-boots-c-14.html">ugg 5879</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-classic-mini-5854-boots-c-10.html">ugg 5854</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-nightfall-5359-boots-c-6.html">ugg 5359</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-sundance-ii-5325-boots-c-5.html">ugg 5325</a><a href="http://www.uggbootscrazydiscount.com/ugg-ultra-short-5225-boots-c-2.html ">ugg 5225</a>

aa (8/2/2010 at 5:27 AM)
I got an [url=http://www.eveninggownsshop.com]wholesale evening gowns[/url] engagement ring for Christmas. My boyfriend [url=http://www.eveninggownsshop.com]wholesale evening gowns[/url] and I had been dating for almost a [url=http://www.eveninggownsshop.com]wholesale evening gowns[/url] year and both felt the time was right to [url=http://www.weddinggowns-shop.com]custom wedding gowns [/url] join our [url=http://www.weddinggowns-shop.com]custom wedding gowns [/url] lives together in holy [url=http://www.weddinggowns-shop.com]custom wedding gowns [/url] matrimony. htmlThe month of January was [url=http://www.weddinggowns-shop.com]custom wedding gowns [/url] spent planning our perfect Alabama June [url=http://www.weddinggowns-shop.com]custom wedding gowns [/url] wedding. My mother, two sisters and I went to Huntsville, the closest town with a [INVALID]ion of bridal shops, to buy the gown that would play the leading role on my special occasion.We had a wonderful time just being together and sharing [url=http://www.weddinggowns-shop.com]custom wedding gowns [/url] silly jokes, but the day soon turned serious by afternoon: still no sign of the dress of my dreams. Both sisters were ready to give up and try another day in another [url=http://www.eveninggownsshop.com]wholesale evening gowns[/url] town, but I coerced them into one more [url=http://www.weddinggowns-shop.com]custom wedding gowns [/url] boutique.I had a good feeling as we entered the quaint little shop filled with the scent of fresh flowers. [url=http://www.eveninggownsshop.com]wholesale evening gowns[/url] The elderly clerk showed us several beautiful gowns in my size and price range, but none were right. As I opened the door to leave, the desperate[url=http://www.eveninggownsshop.com]wholesale evening gowns[/url] shop owner announced she had one more dress in the back that was [url=http://www.weddinggowns-shop.com]custom wedding gowns [/url] expensive and not even my size, but perhaps I might want to look at it anyway. [url=http://www.eveninggownsshop.com]wholesale evening gowns[/url] When she brought it out, I squealed in delight.