Frederick County Commissioners President Jan Gardner wants to get unused medicines out of the water supply, but federal requirements might make that difficult. Gardner has proposed requiring pharmacies to offer take-back programs as part of the county's state 2009 legislative list of priorities.
The program is intended to prevent residents from flushing pills down the toilet or putting them in the trash.
Once pharmacies have the medications, they could coordinate proper disposal, such as incineration.
Federal regulations of controlled substances, however, prohibit pharmacies from accepting medications, such as prescription pain killers, that are regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, according to a spokesman.
DEA spokesman Brian Boyle said there is no legal mechanism for pharmacies to accept unused medications defined as controlled substances.
The agency sees a need for such interactions, however, and is working with Congress to authorize it, he said.
Under current law, only law enforcement agencies working with the DEA can accept unused controlled substances at a local level.
When the county's Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management offers unused medication drop offs at the landfill during its twice yearly hazardous waste collection, the division coordinates with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office to meet those requirements.
Such coordination might be difficult to administer at every pharmacy.
Gardner said she wants to do more homework on the issue. The commissioners will discuss the legislative package today, so it is not yet known if this proposal will move forward.
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