Resources
A variety of tools are available to educate both consumers and policy makers about the pharmaceutical waste issue. Links to key resources include powerpoint presentations, project documents and reports, and other relevant material.
Pharmaceutical Waste Product Stewardship Summit Presentations (June 7-8, 2012):
The American Medicine Chest Challenge
Areas of Key Policy Development
NCPA Dispose My Meds and the TakeAway Environmental Return System
The Clean Water Community Perspective
Pharmaceuticals in the Great Lakes: Prevention Priorities
Pharmaceuticals in the Aquatic Environment: Facts and Challenges
Pharmaceutical Abuse in the United States
LINKS:
Disposal
The Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA) has released a comprehensive report,“Reducing Wisconsin’s Prescription Drug Abuse: A Call to Action–Critical steps toward building a healthier Wisconsin.”
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant – on Unwanted Meds
Wisconsin DNR – on Healthcare waste (Click on pharmaceutical waste under the household or non-household tabs, as appropriate)
US EPA bibliographic database of publications relevant to drug disposal and environmental stewardship
Product Stewardship
Product Stewardship Institute - on pharmaceuticals
U.S. EPA - on product stewardship
Northwest Product Stewardship Council
Managing Waste to Managing Resources
Recycle More Wisconsin product stewardship page
Environmental effects
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports on pharmaceuticals in their surface waters
Protecting the Great Lakes from Pharmaceutical Pollution Report
Troubled Waters: Assessing the Emerging Contaminant Threat Report
U.S. Geological Survey Emerging Contaminants Study
U.S. EPA on Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) as Pollutants
Adverse Effects in Wild Fish Living Downstream from Pharmaceutical Manufacture Discharges Article. Synopsis of the article.
Removal of Organic Wastewater Contaminants in Septic Systems Using Advanced Treatment Technologies (full article). This research was done in Wisconsin. Abstract only.
Prescription Pill Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Prescription and illicit drug abuse is timely new topic on NIHSeniorHealth.gov
PRESENTATIONS:
Learn about Canada’s program for prescription drug collection!
GLRI Canadian Program Overview
Midwest Product Stewardship Council – Overviews:
(MPSC_overview; GLRI Product Stewardship and Pharmaceuticals Webinar 4-20-11 Cynthia, Sierra)
Preventing Pharmaceutical Pollution and Diversion (PSI USDA Pharms Presentation)
PSI webinars about preventing pharmaceutical waste
Win-Win Strategies for Reducing Pharmaceutical Waste
Pharmaceutical Waste Take Back in Wisconsin (NEW!)
Comments
Comment from Gail Fitch
Time August 23, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Help! On August 22, I went to Walgreens, and they never heard of this. CVS would sell me an envelope for $4.00. I thought the envelopes to return unused meds were free and widely available. Whom can I contact for clarification and/or a free envelope?
Comment from Barb Bickford
Time October 1, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Walgreens used to sell envelopes similar to the CVS envelopes, for $3.99. Based on what you say, perhaps they no longer offer them. UW Extension offered a pilot mailback program that offered free envelopes, but that program ended in December 2011.
Comment from Dan Moody
Time June 15, 2012 at 8:05 am
I attended the symposium last week and found it to be very valuble to learn about what other communities are doing and whats successful and what isnt in capturing the pharm waste stream. “Thank You” for organizing this mtg and helping local units of Govt. attend and participate.