KOHL CALLS FOR CREATION OF ONE FEDERAL GUIDELINE ON DRUG DISPOSAL
Clarification Needed to Reduce Health and Environmental Risks
WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, held a hearing on drug waste and disposal, considering the health and safety risks associated with both improper disposal and lack of disposal options for consumers. As it stands, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) post guidelines that conflict with information posted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Meanwhile, the flushing of drugs down the toilet has resulted in water contamination. A 2002 U.S. Geological Survey study of 139 bodies of water in 30 states found that over 80 percent of the water samples were contaminated by personal care products, including prescription drugs.
"We need to provide Americans with better information about what to do with their leftover medications. Contradicting guidelines put forth by the DEA, FDA, EPA, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service need to be reconciled," said Kohl. "Americans deserve a safe and effective way to get drugs away from their homes and keep them out of our drinking water."
Witnesses from Wisconsin and Maine talked about two successful programs that collect and dispose of excess medications. Unfortunately, many similar programs nationwide are unable to accept the most dangerous types of controlled medication for disposal due to provisions in the Controlled Substance Act. Kohl called on DEA to find middle ground.
"While we understand there is a risk that drugs can fall into the wrong hands on their way to a drug disposal collection point, the fact is that the risk of that happening in the home is even greater. We need the DEA to update its regulations to allow safe, comprehensive take-back programs across the country," Kohl said.
The Committee also discussed strategies for limiting drug waste on the front end, when it is produced and prescribed, including the improvement of patient treatment compliance by patients taking prescription drugs, the expansion of Medication Therapy Management programs, and the limitation of initial dispensing on certain medications that have high rates of non-compliance.
The administration's "drug czar," R. Gil Kerlikowske, updated the Committee on the ONDCP's guidelines associated with drug disposal and the Office's plans to create a more comprehensive guide with the collaboration of other agencies, including EPA and FDA. Representing the DEA at the hearing was Joseph Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Office of Diversion Control, who spoke to the controlled substance issue and how it impacts take-back programs.
Dr. Mary Hendrickson, of Wisconsin's Genco Pharmaceutical Services, and Dr. Stevan Gressitt, of the Maine Institute for Safe Medicine, spoke about the success of take-back programs in their states. Bruce Behringer, from East Tennessee State University, offered testimony on the unique challenge of disposal in rural communities. Finally, Bernard Strain, of Pennsylvania, told the tragic story of his son's death last year as a result of taking prescription medication that was not prescribed to him after suffering an injury.
# # #
