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Crush, Don't Flush Campaign Launched
Crush, Don't Flush Campaign Launched
SAN DIEGO, California, March 18, 2008 Source
(ENS) - The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Monday signed a formal agreement with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Pharmacists Association, APhA, to help protect fish and
aquatic resources from the improper disposal of medication.
The campaign - tagged "SMARxT DISPOSAL" - informs people on how to safely dispose of medicines in the
trash, and highlights the environmental threat posed from flushing medicines down the toilet.
Consumers were once advised to flush their expired or unused medications, but recent environmental impact
studies report that this practice could be having an adverse impact on the environment.
Instead, the currently approved way to handle most medications is expressed by the campaign as a set of simple
instructions. "Don't flush those medicines, crush the medicines in a plastic bag; add coffee-grounds, sawdust or
kitty-litter; seal the bag and put it in the trash. In other words, crush...don't flush."
"Trace amounts of chemical compounds often associated with medications have been increasingly detected in
our waters, the very waters that support our nation's fish and other wildlife," said Gary Frazer, assistant director
of fisheries and habitat conservation with the Fish and Wildlife Service.
He said "uncertainty still exists about the impact of these chemicals" on human health and the environment, but
the three organizations "recognize the value of getting in front of the issue."
The partnership was announced during APhA's annual meeting held in San Diego, California, one of the largest
gatherings of pharmacy professionals and health services providers in the country.
"Medications play a vital role in our society," said Dr. John Gans, executive vice president and chief executive of
APhA. "Consumers and pharmacists should be aware that it is important to take that extra step to protect our
families and our natural resources."
"Proper disposal of medicines is important to America's families. PhRMA is very excited to be working on this
initiative with the Fish and Wildlife Service and American Pharmacist Association that will educate all Americans
on the safest way to dispose of unused medicines," said Billy Tauzin, president and chief executive of the
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association.
While the rule of thumb is not to flush, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that certain
medications should be flushed due to their abuse potential.
The pharmacy groups advise consumers to read the instructions on the medication and if in doubt, talk to a
pharmacist. Also to prevent abuse, consumers are advised to remove and destroy all identifying personal
information, including the prescription label, from discarded medication containers.
Visit the SMARxT Disposal website at: http://www.smarxtdisposal.net/
SAN DIEGO, California, March 18, 2008 Source
(ENS) - The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Monday signed a formal agreement with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Pharmacists Association, APhA, to help protect fish and
aquatic resources from the improper disposal of medication.
The campaign - tagged "SMARxT DISPOSAL" - informs people on how to safely dispose of medicines in the
trash, and highlights the environmental threat posed from flushing medicines down the toilet.
Consumers were once advised to flush their expired or unused medications, but recent environmental impact
studies report that this practice could be having an adverse impact on the environment.
Instead, the currently approved way to handle most medications is expressed by the campaign as a set of simple
instructions. "Don't flush those medicines, crush the medicines in a plastic bag; add coffee-grounds, sawdust or
kitty-litter; seal the bag and put it in the trash. In other words, crush...don't flush."
"Trace amounts of chemical compounds often associated with medications have been increasingly detected in
our waters, the very waters that support our nation's fish and other wildlife," said Gary Frazer, assistant director
of fisheries and habitat conservation with the Fish and Wildlife Service.
He said "uncertainty still exists about the impact of these chemicals" on human health and the environment, but
the three organizations "recognize the value of getting in front of the issue."
The partnership was announced during APhA's annual meeting held in San Diego, California, one of the largest
gatherings of pharmacy professionals and health services providers in the country.
"Medications play a vital role in our society," said Dr. John Gans, executive vice president and chief executive of
APhA. "Consumers and pharmacists should be aware that it is important to take that extra step to protect our
families and our natural resources."
"Proper disposal of medicines is important to America's families. PhRMA is very excited to be working on this
initiative with the Fish and Wildlife Service and American Pharmacist Association that will educate all Americans
on the safest way to dispose of unused medicines," said Billy Tauzin, president and chief executive of the
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association.
While the rule of thumb is not to flush, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that certain
medications should be flushed due to their abuse potential.
The pharmacy groups advise consumers to read the instructions on the medication and if in doubt, talk to a
pharmacist. Also to prevent abuse, consumers are advised to remove and destroy all identifying personal
information, including the prescription label, from discarded medication containers.
Visit the SMARxT Disposal website at: http://www.smarxtdisposal.net/