The veterinary community has been asked to open a dialogue with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) concerning outreach on the proper disposal of unused prescription medications at veterinary practices and by clients of veterinary practices.   

Coincidentally, this subject was picked up by talk radio and the newspapers, and may become a source of client questions to their veterinarians.

Additional information:

• Currently there are efforts within government and the pharmacy industry to educate the public on proper, safe disposal of unused prescription medications – which generally does not include flushing medications down the toilet.  An example of such outreach is the brochure “Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs” (attached as a PDF file).  CDPHE is also working with the medical and pharmacy sectors on this same issue.   

• Recently, the United States Geological Service (USGS) Toxic Substances Hydrology Unit noted the presence of pharmaceuticals and other potentially hazardous chemicals in measurable quantities in waste water and in some drinking water.   Details on the USGS information can be viewed at http://toxics.usgs.gov/regional/emc/index.html

• Hazardous waste is regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C.  The EPA has identified pesticides and pharmaceuticals that are considered particularly hazardous and have created standards for their disposal. More information on EPA’s regulation of hazardous wastes is available at http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazwaste.htm

• Information on the P and U lists of pesticides and unused pharmaceuticals is available at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=4990e762d7b81851bef18f82dc851826;rgn=div5;view=text;node=40%3A25.0.1.1.2;idno=40;cc=ecfr#40:25.0.1.1.2.4.1.4