Disposing of Unwanted Medication in the Hudson Valley is About to Get Easier

Up until recently, we were told told to simply flush any unwanted or expired medication. However with increased water quality research, low levels of medications have been detected in lakes, streams and rivers in the state. Plus, additional research is showing that such continuous exposure to low levels of medications has adverse impacts on the health of fish and other aquatic wildlife.

While there are prescription medication drop-off procedures in place at various police departments throughout the state, it isn't always convenient to do so. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Governor Cuomo, recently signed legislation that would allow pharmacies to take back unwanted drugs and dispose of them properly.

The DEC and DOH are encouraging all pharmacies to become authorized collectors of unused, expired, and unwanted drugs, under the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s Controlled Substances Disposal Rule.  To help facilitate this, the DEC will work to remove regulatory hurdles for all authorized collectors, including removing requirements for them to obtain a Part 360 solid waste storage permit and the requirement that household pharmaceuticals that are hazardous waste be disposed of at a hazardous-waste facility.

The 2016-2017 New York budget has included a million dollars to help provide more locations for safe, drug disposal throughout the state.