Medication Disposal in Pennsylvania
Finally, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has approved a program for those pharmacies that wish to collect and dispose of medications. The program will allow pharmacies to register with DEP to do so. The registration is a relatively simple form to complete and return and there is no fee. You do agree to comply with the outlined guidelines which include: No take-back of controlled substances, having a specific collection container, and utilizing an approved licensed waste hauler.
Notification for Registration of Onsite Pharmaceutical Drug Collection Program 2520-FM-BWM0010 (eLibrary) - To be used only by pharmacies for onsite pharmaceutical collections
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/View/Collection-10770
Please know that the State still opposes the Sharp collection program as advocated by NCPA and done in many other states. This is because in Pennsylvania, medications collected by someone other than the user are considered hazardous household waste and MUST be disposed according to specific guidelines including hauling and removal by a licensed hazardous waste hauler.
The following message from Michael Reed of Darrenkamps Pharmacy in Mt. Joy. PA, (who worked with PPA to make this happen), says it all:
I have spent the best part of a year working with PPA and Mr. Tom Hyatt at DEP to make this happen. Rather than rewriting the law, which is much more time consuming, we worked with the existing laws and regulations to establish an ongoing pharmaceutical collection system. The system is similar to the NCPA -SHARPS Disposal system but satisfies state DEP regulations. It also was reviewed and approved by the PA State Board of Pharmacy and Department of Health. There is no registration fee.
Those who come to our pharmacies are very pleased to rid themselves of outdated/unused medications which are kept out of the water supply. Regarding the medications we cannot take back (controlled substances) , the public responds very well to an open and frank discussion about the federal government suggestions of mixing with kitty litter or coffee grounds and disposing into your trash.
I am excited and pleased to offer this to the residents of PA and hope it is a first step to allow pharmacists to take back ALL unused meds and rid our streets and water supplies of problem meds.
Michael Reed also notes he has found a company to provide him with containers for $24 each to use in the collection. "Similar to SHARPS box but just for solids and with no exterior shipping box. As more pharmacies order the price should go down."
If you are interested, here is the contact information for that company:
IPS, 501 Richardson Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Phone: 717-207-0545
Fax: 717-207-0558.
Contact: Chuck Kelley,
email ckelley@ipsinnovations.com
Although you probably can find companies in your area as well.
You will also need to find a hauler and that information is on the DEP website.
With Earth Day coming up - now would be a good time to consider enrolling your pharmacy in this program. For any pharmacies deciding to register with DEP and set up this collection programs, you can contact NCPA if you are a member and be featured on the pharmacy locator page of their national website, Dispose My Meds. They can contact Valerie Briggs (valerie.briggs@ncpanet.org) about being listed for NCPA.
PPA will also be developing a web page listing in the future for this - so if your pharmacy is participating in the DEP program - please send PPA an email stating this. Send to ppa@papharmacists.com.