The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) applauds New York State’s commitment to expand safe drug take-back options for its residents. The two-year pilot is funded by $2 million from the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. Governor Cuomo’s Proposed Executive Budget for 2018-19 includes an additional $1 million to support additional pilot programs.PSI has promoted drug take-back for the past decade. Our own pilot programs with retail and hospital pharmacies across the country laid the groundwork for large-scale statewide programs. Our resources and experienced staff assisted NYS DEC in developing its statewide pilot. Separately from the state program, PSI and the New York Product Stewardship Council are piloting drug take-back in rural NY hospitals. PSI is hopeful that NYS DEC’s pilot will set the stage for the passage of extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation (S 7354) this year. The pilot provides temporary drug disposal options for a small portion of NY residents, but an EPR program will provide long term, sustainable financing and expand convenient drug take-back to the rest of the state. PSI is providing recommendations and technical assistance to NYS DEC and the bill’s sponsors in the state Senate and Assembly to strengthen the bill and ensure successful take-back for years to come.
For more information, visit www.productstewardship.us.