Household Hazardous Waste Program 

Pharmaceuticals

Oregon Pharmaceutical Take Back Stakeholder Group Recommendations Endorsed by DEQ

Unused drugs kept in medicine cabinets, tossed in the garbage, or flushed down the toilet or drain can be serious threats to human and environmental health. Drugs of concern include controlled and non-controlled prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter medications. Drug take back programs reduce avoidable poisoning of both children and adults; prevent intentional misuse of unwanted prescription drugs, especially by teenagers; and protect water quality and fish and other aquatic species.

In October 2006, the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (ACWA) convened a group of stakeholders to explore the development of a statewide drug take back program in Oregon. The Oregon Pharmaceutical Take Back Stakeholder Group met for one year to create a proposed program to collected leftover medications for Oregon that was effective, fair, and economical. DEQ participated as a stakeholder and funding agency. The process and recommendation are summarized in the Oregon Pharmaceutical Take Back Stakeholder Group Final Report.

The Stakeholder Group recommended a pharmaceutical take back program in Oregon based on the Medications Return Program in British Columbia operated successfully since 1996 The B.C. program uses a product stewardship approach. Product Stewardship is a strategy that encourages those who design, produce, sell or use a product to take responsibility for minimizing the products impact throughout all stages of the products life cycle. Product Stewardship programs exist in Oregon for rechargeable batteries, beverage containers, thermostats, and most recently electronics. The Stakeholder Group recommendation requests pharmaceutical manufacturers and over-the-counter drug companies to voluntarily devise and implement a convenient and effective program for consumers to dispose of unwanted medicine. The industry can select the format: mail-back, drop box, a combination of the two, or another concept that the industry may choose to pursue. If the industry is unable or unwilling to move forward with such a program, the Stakeholder Group proposes that legislation requiring an industry-funded take back program be introduced in the 2009 Oregon Legislature.

Documents

• Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal PDF
• Oregon Pharmaceutical Take Back Stakeholder Group Final Report PDF 1.3MB
  • Executive Summary Only
• White House Drug Policy: Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs PDF

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