The proposed US Pharmaceutical Stewardship Act of 2011 (HR 2939) would “set up a nonprofit corporation financed by pharmaceutical producers which would be responsible for establishing comprehensive drug take-back programs in every state. The bill would also set up a commission to develop a strategy to prevent pharmaceutical contaminants from polluting our waterways and environments from production to disposal.”

The proposed bill also states, “Subject to subsection (d)[titled, “Mechanism for Transfer of Costs Among Manufacturers and Brand Owners”], the costs of the program are fully paid by such manufacturers and brand owners…The program shall not impose any fee on individuals for delivery or disposal of a drug through the program.”  The bill also states a program shall include, in part, “…(i) at least one collection site in every county of every State and one collection site in every city with a population of more than 10,000 individuals on an ongoing, year-round basis; or (ii) if collection is not feasible in a specific county or city, provision of prepaid mailing envelopes to individuals in such county or city for such collection and disposal…”

That would seem to provide an effective, if rather costly, procedure for pharmaceutical take-back that might better be operated by Local Authorities. However, if an additional postal system captures more waste then clearly is has been successful. Perhaps the bigger issue is to raise awareness among householders and to consider also the need for collection of non-prescription medicinal wastes, and of other hazardous household wastes.