More than just take backs: Upstream approaches to reducing pharmaceutical waste

Tuesday, February 9th, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. - Pharmaceuticals

Julie Becker, Ph.D., MPH, President, Women's Health & Environmental Network

Pharmaceutical management is an emerging issue for both health care and water quality. While medications improve our quality of life and even extend our lives, a growing body of scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed journals have noted adverse effects in aquatic species as a result of low-level, chronic exposure to pharmaceuticals. This presentation will review 1) existing laws and regulations that create barriers to appropriate pharmaceutical disposal methods; 2) existing disposal methods and respectively, their pros and cons in implementation; 3) and resources that currently exist to address this issue on a limited basis. Health Care Without Harm has formulated three “upstream” strategies that move beyond community take-back or mail-in programs, and begin the discussion of what is needed in the future to adopt a “womb-to-womb” approach to safer and more environmentally responsible disposal of pharmaceuticals. These strategies build on existing practices and seek to reform the prescribing, dispensing and payment systems for medications, through education and market solutions. Moving to the next level, this presentation will explore new ways to dispose of pharmaceuticals that do not include incineration yet render this waste both chemically and biologically inert.