The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is looking to modify its policies regarding the disposal of powerful medications that long-term care facilities need to discard. Providers, including the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, have submitted comments for the DEA’s public meeting, which will be held Wednesday and Thursday in Washington. Among the hottest topics will be the DEA’s concern that abusers might devise new and unwanted pathways to re-route controlled substances from intended destruction.
The DEA is charged with preventing the diversion of controlled substances, keeping the public safe and enlisting various groups to write new policy. The overarching theme at the meeting will be finding the safest and most effective method of disposing of controlled substances that is still consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010.
Participants at the public meeting will address these main issues:
• What they think would be the safest manner to dispose of unwanted controlled substances while preventing diversion.
• Any foreseen specific obstacles to the disposal of controlled substances in the community or a given geographical area.
• How state and local rules might affect the disposal of controlled substances.
For more on the topic, visit this part of the DEA website.
