by Hanz Atia, Associate, Policy & Programs
When dumped in the trash or flushed down the drain, pharmaceuticals can contaminate our environment – and, when left in medicine cabinets, drugs can cause accidental overdoses. But Oregon just passed an amendment to its 2019 EPR law, which expands the type of facilities at which covered drugs under drug takeback programs may be disposed. SB 411 will now go to Governor Tina Kotek for signature.
In 2010, PSI led a national coalition to pass the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act and change related regulations that made it possible for retail pharmacies to host drug take-back programs for unwanted medicines, including controlled substances. That year, we developed model pharmaceuticals EPR legislation with our national coalition; by 2012, PSI Member Alameda County had used our model to establish the first pharmaceuticals EPR ordinance in the country, which was upheld by the courts despite industry appeals. Learn more on our pharmaceuticals product page.
We testified in support of SB 411, which added federally regulated medical waste incineration facilities to Oregon’s drug disposal program. These facilities provide incineration service options in other state drug take-back programs, providing additional competition that can potentially lower drug disposal costs.
Editor’s note: This legislation was signed into law on May 23, 2023.