Pharmaceutical ingredient residues have been in focus through reports of their presence in surface water. While positive efforts have been made to properly dispose of drug products, an overwhelming majority of contaminants reach the environment through human excretion as metabolites.

Because of continuing interest in this subject, on June 17, 2008, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association Board of Directors formally announced its support for the recommendations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Pharmacists Association, which advise consumers to:

• Not flush or pour unused medicines down a sink or drain.
• Place medicines to be disposed in a sealable plastic bag. If the medicine is a solid, crush it or add water to dissolve it.
• Add something undesirable (cat litter, coffee grounds, etc.).
• Dispose of sealed bag in household trash.

For more information, visit the SMARxT Disposal: A Prescription for a Healthy Program campaign web site. CHPA is pleased to be a supporter of this initiative.