Wisconsin DNR Pharmaceutical Waste News

WISCONSIN - DNR |  An Update, Taken from DNR Subscription

Contents:
1. Wisconsin Drug Disposal bill passes WI Senate
2. Free Rx drop boxes available
3. EPA requests input on hazardous pharmaceutical waste management in the retail sector

1. Wisconsin Drug Disposal bill passes WI Senate

Wisconsin’s drug disposal bill, one of several bills aimed at curbing the epidemic of heroin addiction, passed the Senate on February 18^th. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature.

The bill provides for the state Department of Justice to approve policies for those collecting drugs from households, with certain collectors being exempt. The bill allows for mail-back and multi-jurisdictional collection programs. The bill also would allow individuals (other than the person who receives a prescription for controlled substances) to legally possess controlled substances for purposes of disposal. If signed, the new law would take effect in July 2015, assuming that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration adopts similar provisions under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

Source: WI Legislature AB448 and SB351 https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/proposals/ab448

2. Free Rx drop boxes available for law enforcement organizations

The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) is offering a limited number of AMCC Permanent Rx Collection Boxes, without cost, to law enforcement organizations across the country.

If your law enforcement organization is interested in receiving an AMCC Permanent Collection Box, please emailadmin@AmericanMedicineChest.Com with the following information: law enforcement organization, law enforcement organization address, contact name, contact phone number and contact email address.
Please call AMCC at 877-919-2622 if you have any questions. All of AMCC’s services are provided free of charge. AMCC’s sponsors include PhRMA, Actavis, Covanta Energy, ACEP and DrugFree.Org.

Source: American Medicine Chest Challenge

3. EPA requests input on hazardous waste management in the retail sector

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking data from large retailers regarding the management of hazardous waste, including pharmaceuticals. The agency seeks comment on existing data on amount of hazardous waste the retail industry generates, and suggestions for improving hazardous waste regulations for retail operations.

EPA's pre-publication version of the Retailer “Notice of Data Availability” (NODA):
http://www.epa.gov/waste/hazard/generation/retl_noda_fnl_020414.pdf 

More information on the retail sector NODA: http://www.epa.gov/waste/hazard/generation/retail.htm 

The request for information from the retail sector is separate from the ongoing EPA rulemaking on pharmaceutical hazardous waste from the health care sector.