EPR bill for pharmaceuticals introduced

By Editorial Staff, Resource Recycling

In an effort to rein in the abundance of waste pharmaceuticals polluting waters and presenting potential hazards in medicine cabinets, a New York congresswoman has introduced legislation that would establish a national extended producer responsibility program for unused or unwanted medicines.

Introduced by Louise Slaughter, a Democrat from western New York, the Pharmaceutical Stewardship Act of 2011 (H.R. 2939) would require drug manufacturers to establish a national collection and disposal program that would be managed by a nonprofit organization overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Manufacturers would also have the option of opting out to create their own program.

Under the legislation, manufacturers would have to provide a collection site in every county and city with a population greater than 10,000 or offer a pre-paid mailer to gather the unused drugs for incineration or another method of destruction that the EPA determines is adequate. The bill is also written in a way that would not preempt state or local governments from enacting more stringent requirements.

"There is an urgent need for convenient drug take-back programs to protect public health and the environment, and this bill would significantly increase collection opportunities across the country," said Scott Cassel, executive director of the Product Stewardship Institute, in a prepared statement. "By adopting a product stewardship approach, this bill gives industry the control and flexibility it needs to implement an efficient and effective program."

A statement from Slaughter cites research that shows that pharmaceuticals have contaminated the drinking water of numerous metropolitan areas and also asserts that unused medicines lying around can attract thieves or cause overdoses. She also notes that while federal agencies urge Americans to use take-back programs, they are often not adequate to collect all pharmaceuticals.

So far several consumer advocacy and environmental organizations have lined up behind the bill, including the Science and Management of Addictions, Product Stewardship Institute, Food and Water Watch, Natural Resources Defense Council and Environment America.

To return to the newsletter, click here.