Lobbying against mandatory drug take-back programs and educating consumers about OTC product disposal top the Consumer Healthcare Products Association's non-federal priorities, says Carlos Gutierrez, the trade group's state affairs chief.

“Our main priority right now is the drug take-back debate and making sure our voice is heard in that debate,” said Gutierrez, a senior director and head of state government affairs at CHPA, in an interview. “I think educating all those involved, from the lawmakers to consumers at the state and local level, is critical.”

Consumer knowledge about drug disposal is limited. “What we have found in surveys is, with consumers this isn't a top-of-mind issue and we need to make this a top-of-mind issue,” he said.

One platform CHPA is using to educate consumers is knowyourOTCs.org with information on safe storage and disposal of OTCs and a section on medicine disposal that links to FDA's website on safe disposal ([A#05150323006]).

CHPA recommends consumers follow FDA's guidance on disposing unused medications and encourages consumers to utilize National Prescription Take-Back Days sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration four times a year, with the next scheduled April 30.

To date, DEA says it has collected more than 5.5m pounds of unused medication for safe and secure disposal.

Gutierrez said CHPA will continue to oppose local mandates that require drug manufacturers to create, finance and manage systems for collecting and disposing of unused medications and similar take-back programs for pharmacists.

Fueled by an environmental push “not based on science,” municipal jurisdictions have pushed for take-back programs that are expensive and not always effective in keeping trace levels of pharmaceuticals out of waterways, CHPA argues.

The group also has informed state lawmakers and local officials about the programs' impact on consumer health drug companies, which account for 60% of US drug volume and include high-volume items such as letter vitamins in addition to common OTC drugs.

In California, a patchwork of local ordinances has been imposed or are in the works to require drug manufacturers to fund and manage systems for collecting and disposing of unused and unwanted medications ([A#05160118008]).

CHPA is in favor of most voluntary programs, such as retailer Walgreen's safe medication disposal program launched in February with the installation of kiosks in more than 500 stores in 39 states and in Washington, D.C.

In a Feb. 9 release, Walgreens said the kiosks will allow consumers “to safely and conveniently dispose of their unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances, and over-the-counter medications, at no cost.”

CHPA Makes Take-Back Programs Top Policy Targets Outside Washington

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