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Collaboration and Partnerships
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
EPA Region 3 - Philadelphia
Geographic location or area of activity: Mid-Atlantic Region
Description of activity: EPA Region 3 is invested in helping to solve the complex issue of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Specific activities include:
- Partnering with a large water utility, a non-profit organization and the private sector to develop a pilot program for disposal of unwanted medications within a minority senior population and at two nursing home facilities.
- Engaging 5 pharmaceutical manufacturers located in the Mid-Atlantic region to identify mutual areas of concern that can be addressed jointly (e.g., long-term care facilities and data collection).
- Coordinating with large national medication management company to sponsor workshop bringing together all concerned parties regarding medication disposal.
- Partnering with boards of pharmacy and pharmacists associations to develop pilot community take-back programs, either one-time or sustainable collections.
- Coordinating with many others across the country to try to address the one major challenge in this issue, the regulations of another federal agency.
- Region 3’s press release re: EPA’s new web site & Federal Guidelines for Proper Disposal of Unwanted Prescription Drugs produced several radio and television stories in Philadelphia & other markets.
Interagency partners: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy
Local partners: Philadelphia Water Department, Women’s Health & Environmental Network, Pennsylvania Pharmacists’ Association, Northeast Recycling Council, Philadelphia Senior Center, ACTS communities nursing homes, Lehigh Valley Pretreatment Information Exchange and American Society of Consultant Pharmacists