Reducing Pharmaceuticals in our Waters: A DEC Update and Appeal for your Input

1. Reducing Pharmaceuticals in our Waters: A DEC Update and Appeal for your Input Scott Stoner, Chief, Standards and Analytical Support Section Division of Water; Chair, NYSDEC Pharmaceuticals Work Group Joan Kennedy, Division of Public Affairs and Education Presentation to WMAC – December 3, 2008

2. Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Water: A Complex Problem • Widespread and diverse sources • Few if any water quality standards • Waste water treatment only partly effective; - not designed to remove pharmaceuticals • No single/simple solution

3. Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Water: A Complex Solution • Source Control: unused medications • Source Control: drug manufacturers • Improved wastewater treatment ($$) • Greener drugs (faster breakdown)

4. Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Waters: Initial DEC Actions • Pharmaceuticals Work Group • Roundtable on Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals in NYS • Inter-Agency Work Group – institutions • “Don’t Flush Your Drugs” campaign • Website: www.dontflushyourdrugs.net

5. Initial DEC Actions: Pharmaceuticals Work Group • Winter 2008; Led by Division of Water • Chair: Scott Stoner; Co-Chair: Ken Kosinski • Solid and Hazardous Materials, Public Affairs and Education, Communications, Pollution Prevention, Policy Office, and NYS Dept. of Health • Initially focusing on source control – reduce flushing of unused medications

6. Initial DEC Actions: Roundtable Discussion on Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals in NYS • May 15, 2008 • Sponsored by NYSDEC and NYSDOH • Panel discussions on pharmaceuticals generated by: - Households - Hospitals and other institutions • Synopsis now online

7. Initial DEC Actions: Roundtable Discussion on Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals in NYS Key Messages: Households • Pilot programs proving the feasibility of different models of collection of unused drugs • Management of controlled substances creates a significant barrier

8. Initial DEC Actions: Roundtable Discussion on Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals in NYS Key Messages: Hospitals and Other Institutions • Flushing common and widespread • Pharmaceutical waste volume differs by type of institution

9. Initial DEC Actions: Inter-Agency Work Group on Pharmaceutical Disposal in Institutions • DEC, DOH, Dept of Education • Objective: Develop new guidance on pharmaceuticals disposal in institutions • Eliminate regulatory barriers • Work with regulated community – ensure guidance is workable • Educate regulated community on new protocols

10. Initial DEC Actions: Commissioner’s Announcementand Website • Press Release August 8, 2008 • “Don’t Flush Your Drugs” campaign • Website: www.dontflushyourdrugs.net • Technical background on the issue • Guidance for proper household disposal

11. Recent Legislation - Pharmaceuticals • S7560A ; effective March 24, 2009 • Amends New York’s Env. Cons. Law • Directs DEC, in consultation with NYS DOH, to develop and implement a public information program on the proper disposal of drugs • Authorizes but does not fund pilot collection • Codifies what we are already doing…

12. Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Water: Status Check • Complex and challenging issue • Initial DEC actions: source control: do not flush • Next steps - institutions - continued research - collaboration - push for “greener” drugs - education campaign

13. Getting The Message Out

14. Our Thoughts • Water bills and annual water quality reports • Hospitals, pharmacies, medical organizations • Link to website • Add to their website • Presentations at events

15. Can You Help Us? Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Recommendations?

16. Acknowledgements • Kenneth Kosinski, P.E., Division of Water, Co-Chair, NYSDEC Pharmaceuticals Work Group • Resa A. Dimino, Special Assistant, Commissioner’s Policy Office