NY Introduces Initiatives to Help Retail Pharmacies Prevent Violations

MAY 17, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced the following two initiatives to help retail pharmacies prevent violations and protect public health and the environment.

• The DEC is inviting pharmacies to participate in a special Environmental Audit Incentive program to improve hazardous waste handling.
• The DEC will work with pharmacies to support the collection of unused and unwanted drugs from consumers.

As part of the program, New York pharmacies must commit to make a good-faith effort in adopting a system for collecting waste pharmaceuticals from consumers. The DEC will provide participating pharmacies with a medication drop box compliant with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations and will hire a DEA-registered vendor to pick up, transport, and destroy collected pharmaceuticals for a period of two years.

All New York pharmacies are eligible to participate in the pilot pharmaceutical takeback program. Click here for more information.