Dear Ramesh,

The following are publications that cover the answer to your question:

1-Disposal of Unwanted Medicines:

A Resource for Action in Your Community

December 2009

Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Background

The unintended consequences of disposal of unwanted medicines present an emerging concern for the environment and public health. This section provides background on this topic and includes information on disposal options, risks posed by unwanted medicine disposal, studies where pharmaceutical chemicals have been detected in the environment, the types of pharmaceutical chemicals most frequently detected in water bodies, and the various pathways by which these substances enter the environment.

2. Unwanted Medicine Take-Back Programs: Case Studies

Several states, cities, and counties throughout the United States and worldwide have successfully initiated unwanted medicine collection programs. These efforts aim to reduce the human and environmental risks associated with the disposal of unwanted medicines. This section consists of a collection of case studies representing a wide range of approaches to collection, from one day events to ongoing programs.

3. How to Hold a Successful Unwanted Medicine Collection Event

This section contains resources to help you plan and hold a medicine collection event for the public. It includes information on issues you should consider and barriers you might encounter when organizing a collection event. It provides a directory of waste managers; a list of potential partners who may be sources for funding, consultation or publicity; media tips and a sample press release; and day-of-the-event advice. It also discusses some of the regulatory requirements that you may need to consider when dealing with controlled substances and hazardous materials.

4. Materials for Public Outreach and Education

Public education materials related to unwanted medicine disposal can help to increase awareness of the issue and to promote action. This section contains outreach materials developed by local and national programs, and were created to educate the public on the issue and/or to announce collection events. Similar informational materials could be distributed at collection events or via pharmacies and doctors in your community.

5. State Legislation Regarding Disposal and Donation of Medicines

While the United States does not have national legislation to address medicine

disposal and return programs, some states have issued laws or have bills pending that address these issues. This section summarizes this legislation and pending legislation and can serve as a reference for officials who wish to replicate such measures in their regions. National legislation is pending and several states have passed legislation that identifies responsibility for the cost of collection programs.

6. International Policy on Medicine Donations

Improper donation of medicines to humanitarian relief efforts has proven to be a

major financial and logistics problem for aid organizations. The World Health

Organization’s Guidelines for Drug Donations is provided in this section.

7. Bibliography of Literature on Pharmaceutical Chemicals and the

Environment There is already a significant body of knowledge regarding the types and locations of pharmaceutical chemicals in waterways and the potential effects of these chemicals on wildlife. This section provides a bibliography of scientific journal publications and news reports related to this topic.

8. PowerPoint Presentation: Overview of the Issue

This presentation provides an overview of the issue of unwanted medicines,

discussing the environmental and safety hazards related to unwanted medicines and describing the efforts underway to prevent unwanted medicines from being disposed of improperly. Speaker’s notes and the PowerPoint presentation can be provided on a CD for community organizers and officials who wish to use this presentation as the basis for their own outreach. 

2-Guidelines for Safe Disposal of Unwanted Pharmaceuticals

in and after Emergencies

World Health Organization

Churches’ Action for Health of the World Council of Churches

ECHO International Health Services Ltd

International Committee of the Red Cross

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Pharmaceutical Federation

International Solid Waste Association

Médecins Sans Frontières

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

OXFAM

Pharmaciens Sans Frontières

United Nations Children’s Fund

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

© World Health Organization 1999

For full details, see attached file.

3-Guidelines for Drug Donations Revised 1999

World Health Organization

Caritas Internationalis

Churches’ Action for Health of the World Council of Churches

International Committee of the Red Cross

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Pharmaceutical Federation

Joint United NationsProgramme on HIV/AIDS

Médecins Sans Frontières

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

OXFAM

Pharmaciens Sans Frontières

United Nations Children’s Fund

United Nations Development Programme

United Nations Population Fund

World Bank

For details, see attached paper.

Hoping this will be helpful,

Rafik

Dear Professor Rafik,

I appreciated for your valuable help. I will go trough it.