(46) APhA-ASP proposes that all schools of pharmacy require as part of the PharmD curriculum educating student pharmacists about available medication disposal and/or donation options in order to provide patients with solutions for unused medications.

R2 PRT: Medication Disposal - Wording/action:
(46) APhA-ASP proposes that all schools of pharmacy require as part of the PharmD curriculum educating student pharmacists about available medication disposal and/or donation options in order to provide patients with solutions for unused medications.

Reasons for the Action(s) / Pros and Cons:

3.7 billion prescriptions were dispensed in 2006. By the most conservative estimates, 10% of prescription medication goes unused. The span of potential impact – human health, environmental, fish and wildlife, financial – warrants a proactive approach to their safe disposal.

Recent media attention by the Associated Press in spring 2008 cited evidence of numerous prescription drug compounds in the nation's drinking water supply. The resulting public outcry for solutions left many pharmacists scrambling for answers.

Pennsylvania House Bill #2073 recommended that all community pharmacies would be responsible for taking back and disposing of unused medications, regardless of their original origin.

The pharmacist, as healthcare's leading drug expert, has an obligation to not only meet individual patient needs, but also to serve and ensure the health of the community at large.

Student pharmacists are currently in the unique position as part of their education to gain insight from many areas of pharmacy practice, including pharmaceutical companies, professional organizations, Drug Enforcement Administration, etc.

While state and local ordinances govern available disposal / donation methods, the pharmacy profession has yet to reach a consensus on what to do with unused medication.

APhA-ASP recognizes that in order to prepare student pharmacists to meet the needs of the community at large, schools of pharmacy have a duty to include medication disposal / donation techniques as part of the curriculum.

References:
-- USA Today. “Drugs Found in Drinking Water.” Associated Press. March 10, 2008 <http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-10-drugs-tap-water_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip>
-- US Fish and Wildlife Service/AphA/PhRMA Joint Campaign - SMARxT Disposal <http://www.smarxtdisposal.net/> - Whitehouse Office of National Drug Control Policy. “Proper Disposal of Prescription DrugsFebruary 2007. <http://whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/factsht/proper_disposal.html>
-- US Geological Survey Fact Sheet - “Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams.” June 2002<http://toxics.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-027-02/>
-- Seehusen DA, Edwards J. “Patient practices and beliefs concerning disposal of medications.” J Am Board Fam Med. 2006 Nov-Dec;19(6):542-7.<http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/abstract/19/6/542?ck=nck>
-- Pharmaceutical Drug Disposal Act of 2007, H.B. 2073, (2007). <http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2007&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=2073&pn=2908>

Katherine Steward ; 215-990-1306 ; katie_l_steward@yahoo.com ; University of Pittsburgh