Why are we concerned about pharmaceutical waste?
- $225 billion in medications are prescribed per yea,; and it is expected to grow to $550 billion by 2017.
- A 2002 study by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found that 80% of streams in the U.S. have measurable concentrations of prescription drugs including steroids and hormones.
- 40% of prescribed drugs aren't taken.
- Agriculture uses more than half of all drugs - such as antibiotics.
Without convenient disposal options, people often discard unused and expired medications by dumping them down drains, flushing them down toilets, and throwing them in the trash. Areas with municipal water treatment systems treat waste water, but trace amounts of drugs can still be found in the treated water that is ready to discharge to waterways. Studies like the USGS study referenced above show that exposure, even to low levels of drugs, can have negative effects on fish and other aquatic species and may also have harmful effects on human health.
Many pharmaceutical companies that sell drugs in the US are already practicing good stewardship of unused drugs in British Columbia and Ontario, Canada. California needs a pharmaceutical stewardship program and we encourage pharmaceutical companies to help establish one. |
from three landfills in Maine and 
—R. Behr, D. Stahler, and A. Pistel 2/10
Policy & Legislation