Hein cheers Cuomo's OK of Rx drug return law

KINGSTON, N.Y. » Come January, Ulster County Executive Michael Hein says, there will be “less opioids on the street” because of a bill signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that requires chain pharmacies to take back unused prescription drugs.

Hein interrupted a Tuesday evening meeting of the county Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee to inform lawmakers of the governor’s action earlier in the day. “It’s real,” Hein said. The measure, known as the Drug Take Back Act, creates a unified, statewide drug take-back program that requires chain pharmacies with more than 10 locations — as well as mailorder pharmacies — to provide on-site collection, prepaid mail-back envelopes or other federally approved methods for customers to dispose of unwanted medications.

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2019, also requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to foot the bill for the program, including public education and the collection, transport and proper disposal of unwanted drugs.

Chain pharmacies will be required to establish drop boxes in their stores.

Hein has been at the forefront of the effort to get such legislation enacted and has called pharmacies “grossly negligent” for not providing a way for their customers to return drugs.

He has said their lack of action “exposed more people to prescription opioids and thus created more people addicted to heroin.”

Hein repeatedly has called on the state to take action, and at one point he considered legislation at the county level. That effort stalled amid concerns about the county’s jurisdiction.

Of the state measure being signed, Hein said: “This accomplishment represents the culmination of two years of advocacy and effort, and will play a critical role in reducing the amount of opioids on our streets, and — in turn — will help save lives.”

The environmental organization Riverkeeper said the law will protect the state’s waterways and the aquatic life that call them home.

“The data Riverkeeper has collected with the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and Cornell University show large numbers of pharmaceuticals in the Hudson [River],” said Dan Shapley, director of Riverkeeper’s Water Quality Program. “Giving people convenient access to takeback options will help prevent flushing of unused medications, eliminating one source of drugs in our waters.”

Cuomo vetoed a similar take-back plan last year because it included provisions to allow a disposal fee to be charged to some consumers.