Environmental Update – Proposed Hazardous Waste Rule For Pharmaceuticals

On August 31, 2015, the EPA proposed new regulations for the management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals at healthcare facilities.  First and foremost, the proposed rule prohibits the flushing of any hazardous waste pharmaceutical into a sewer drain or toilet.  Many local municipalities have restricted the flushing of pharmaceuticals into the sewer; however, the new rule will create a federal prohibition on this practice.

The proposed rule applies to Healthcare Facilities and to a newly created designation – Pharmaceutical Reverse Distributors.  Healthcare facilities include entities that provide medical care, such as hospitals, doctor's offices, dentist's offices, health clinics, long-term care facilities, ambulance services, pharmacies and retailers of over-the-counter medications.  A Pharmaceutical Reverse Distributor is defined to include any person who receives and accumulates potentially creditable hazardous waste pharmaceuticals for a manufacturer's credit.