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WORLD> America
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US hospitals dump tons of drugs into wastewater
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-15 10:05
A few choices are expanding. Some states have passed laws to make it easier to contribute unused drugs to charity pharmacies that supply low-income patients. Also, a small share of unused drugs is shipped back to manufacturers for credit -- and incineration, waste consultants say. But the drugs are supposed to be sent back in original packaging -- sometimes impractical because the packaging is discarded or damaged. Several long-term care residences want to deploy automatic drug-dispensing machines that suppliers would refill often to reduce waste. While not yet practical, there are several experimental technologies, such as destroying trace drugs with an electrical arc, microwaves, or caustic chemicals. Increasingly, some bureaucrats and health professionals are suggesting that drug makers help pay costs of managing drug waste. But the pharmaceutical industry says there's insufficient evidence of environmental harm to warrant the expense. But impatience is mounting. Even the EPA has begun to take such suggestions seriously. Grumbles says drug makers "should do more for product stewardship and meds retrieval now." He says it would be unwise to wait for all the proof. For now, many health facilities, especially small ones, are put off by the cost of proper handling. Drugs deemed hazardous by the EPA -- about 5 percent of the market -- might cost up to $2 a pound to incinerate in a certified hazardous waste incinerator, says Vestara's Davidner. A pound might cost 35 cents to burn in a regular trash incinerator. Tom Clark, an executive at the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, wonders: "When you can flush it down the toilet for free, why would you want to pay -- unless there's some significant penalties?"
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