To prevent harm to the environment, unused medications should be disposed of at the following locations in Alameda County:
Alameda County Drug Disposal Sites for Unwanted or Expired Medications
A group of concerned citizens approached Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley on the public health and safety issues pertaining to expired and unwanted prescription medications. Through a series of meetings, the MEDS Coalition (hosted by Supervisor Miley) identified the need for an Extended Producer Responsibility ordinance on prescription medication drug take back. Supervisor Miley understood that an ordinance of this kind is important to protect public health and would be challenged by the pharmaceutical industry (Big Pharma). With the help of Heidi Sanborn from the California Product Stewardship Council, County Counsel and many other stakeholders, Supervisor Miley and the MEDS Coalition spearheaded the Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance that was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in July 2012. The Alameda County Environmental Health Department has been tasked to facilitate the implementation of the ordinance. For more information, please visit their website at www.acgov.org/aceh/safedisposal/index.htm.
Pharmaceuticals have a shelf-life, just like any other product. Eventually, they all become unusable. It is important to get rid of expired and unwanted prescription and over the counter medications.
According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services which publishes the National Health Expenditure Projections 2012-2022, approximately $275.9 billion in prescription drugs will be prescribed in the U.S in 2014. By 2020, that number is projected to reach $379.9 billion. A report estimated that 10 to 33 percent of proscribed medicines are not consumed. With a lack of safe and secure disposal options, consumers traditionally have had the option of trashing, flushing or storing these medicines in the home.
The Alameda County Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance was adopted to help prevent misuse by older adults, keep medication away from young people, prevent theft of medication and finally prevent medication exposure in the waterways.
Alameda County Medication Education and Disposal Safety (MEDS) Coalition originated from the Alameda County Senior Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Workgroup.
MEDS Coalition identified the need for an Extended Producer Responsibility ordinance for prescription drug take back.
Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously passes the Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance.
PhRMA filed law suit against the Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance.
U.S. District Court for Northern District of California upheld the Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance.
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Rules in favor of Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance.
In a 3-0 ruling, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied the appeal because the Alameda County Ordinance "neither discriminates against nor directly regulates interstate commerce."
Supreme Court of the United States declines to hear PrHRMA's appeal.
U.S. District Court for Northern District of California upheld the Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance.
None at this time.
