Everyone can help reduce pharmaceutical waste
This website is a resource for developing innovative and sustainable strategies for managing and reducing pharmaceutical waste in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region.
All those involved in the life cycle of pharmaceuticals –from design through manufacture, use and disposal — can help reduce pharmaceutical waste.
Scroll down this page to see news relating to pharmaceutical waste.
Latest News:
- Wisconsin pharmacies spread the word about reduction and disposal Starting in May 2012, Wisconsin pharmacies are informing their customers about options for pharmaceutical waste reduction and disposal. Acting on a recommendation of the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Waste Working Group and in partnership with DNR, the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin distributed the flier for its member pharmacists to place on their counters or to insert in bags with prescription medications. See the flier here.
- FDA wants limits on antibiotics given to animals The Food and Drug Administration has called on drug companies to help limit the prophylactic use of antibiotics in farm animals, a decades-old practice that scientists say has contributed to a surge in dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria. Read more at: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9U2TC3O1.htm
- CMS adopts rules to encourage trial prescriptions The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has adopted rules to encourage trial prescriptions by providing a pro-rated co-pay. See pp 22126-22134 of the Federal Register notice, here:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-04-12/html/2012-8071.htm - Minnesota allows automated drug dispensing in nursing homes The MN legislature passed a bill in March to allow automated drug dispensing machines that will reduce pharmaceutical waste in nursing homes and keep leftover drugs from being flushed into the sewer system. This will save money too. See the bill here:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S2622.2.html&session=ls86 - The State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse has released a report that includes recommendations regarding medication disposal. See Reducing Wisconsin’s
Prescription Drug Abuse: A Call to Action Final Report January 2012. - The DEA will host their next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 10AM – 2PM. Check back in March for a list of drop-off locations.
- Alameda County Drug Disposal Ordinance Draft[1] (12/15/11)
- “Unprescribed: Legislation to Keep Drugs Out of Water Thwarted by U.S. Pharmaceutical Lobbying” (Circle Blue, 2011)
- The DEA collected 188.5 tons of unwanted medications through their National Drug Take-Back Day on October 29, 2011! Check it out!
- The Product Stewardship Institute’s consensus document, “Key Elements and Vision for Great Lakes Pharmaceutical Programs,” can be accessed at the bottom of PSI’s pharmaceutical projects page.
- Proposed Medicaid Rule Includes Policies to Reduce Pharmaceutical Waste — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have issued a notice of proposed rule-making that includes several polices to reduce pharmaceutical waste. Specifically the proposed rules include provisions to reduce waste by establishing daily cost sharing to align beneficiary interests with shorter day supplies, by supporting trial fills, and by synchronizing refills in the community setting. Comments must be submitted by December 8, 2011. You may submit comments electronically at: http://www.regulations.gov
- Pharmaceutical Stewardship Act of 2011. Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced this bill in late September. The bill would streamline and fund pharmaceutical collection programs in the US. A press release is at: http://www.productstewardship.us/associations/6596/files/Pharmaceutical_Stewardship_Act_Press_Release.pdf The bill itself:
http://www.productstewardship.us/associations/6596/files/Pharm_Stewardship_legislation.pdf
Posted: January 20th, 2011 under Product Stewardship.
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