On June 20, 2013, the King County Board of Health passed new Secure Medicine Return Regulations to establish an industry-funded medicine take-back program in King County. Under these regulations, certain drug manufacturers must participate in developing and operating a stewardship plan to provide safe collection and disposal of unwanted drugs from residents in the county. The regulations apply to drug “producers” whose prescription and nonprescription medicines are sold in or into King County for use in residential settings, with limited exceptions. The following overview provides general information to drug producers. For specific requirements of the Secure Medicine Return Regulations see Board of Health Chapter 11.50.
Statement of intent
A drug producer as defined in the regulations must submit a statement of intent to participate in a stewardship plan to the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County. Although the compliance date to submit a statement of intent has passed we will continue to accept statements of intent to participate in a stewardship program for a limited time. See Submitting a statement of intent to participate in a stewardship plan below.
Participation in a stewardship plan
A drug producer can participate in the standard stewardship plan or form an independent stewardship plan either individually or with a group of other drug producers. Both plans are required to be developed by participating producers. Drug producers may develop, implement, and operate their stewardship plan directly, or they may designate a stewardship organization to perform those functions on their behalf.
Learn more about the standard and independent stewardship plans
Consultation is available
To assist you or your designated stewardship organization, we are offering consultation and technical assistance to meet the requirements of the Secure Medicine Return regulations. For more information contact:
Taylor Watson
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program
New Phone Number: 206-263-1880 or [email protected].
Submitting a statement of intent to participate in a stewardship plan
If your company is a drug producer as defined in the regulations, you must submit a statement of intent to participate in a stewardship plan by one of the methods described below. Although the compliance date to submit a statement of intent has passed we will continue to accept statements of intent to participate in a stewardship program for a limited time. The statement should clearly identify intent to participate in the standard stewardship plan or intent to propose an independent plan.
By mail
Taylor Watson, Program Implementation Manager, Secure Medicine Return
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County
130 Nickerson St. Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98109
Electronically
Send email to: [email protected]
Resources
• Notification to Pharmaceutical Drug Manufacturers
• Cover letter to Pharmaceutical Drug Manufacturers