What's happening
This bill requires the New York Department of Health to study and recommend a prescription drug take-back program with consumer incentives.
Why it matters
Addresses Prescription Drug Misuse and Environmental Impact. By studying ways to incentivize consumers to return unused or unwanted prescription drugs, the bill aims to reduce improper disposal (like flushing or trashing), which can contribute to drug misuse, accidental poisoning, and environmental contamination of water supplies.
Explores Industry Responsibility. The proposed program would require pharmaceutical manufacturers to fund or provide coupons for consumers, shifting some responsibility and cost for safe drug disposal to the industry, rather than placing it solely on taxpayers or local governments.
Potential for Consumer Benefits and Increased Participation. Including direct incentives (cash or coupons) for consumers could significantly boost participation in take-back programs, making it more likely that unused medications are returned safely and securely.
Policy Development Based on Stakeholder Input. By mandating stakeholder engagement and a report with recommendations, the bill ensures that any future program would be informed by input from affected parties (such as patients, pharmacies, manufacturers, and environmental groups), increasing the likelihood of an effective and workable solution.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Drug Disposal Program
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to health
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.2083
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Drug Take-Back Program
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6672
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 12, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HANNON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the department of health to conduct a prescription drug product stewardship disposal program study
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 3343-c to read as follows:
§ 3343-c. Prescription drug product stewardship disposal program study. The department shall study the feasibility of creating and mechanisms necessary to implement a product stewardship program whereby consumers would be incentivized and encouraged to return unused or unwanted controlled substances and other prescription drugs, and pharmaceutical manufacturers would be required to provide funding or coupons so that consumers returning such substances and drugs would receive either a cash or coupon incentive for such returns to an approved location for safe disposal. The department's study shall include stakeholder engagement and recommendations for implementing a prescription drug product stewardship disposal program. The department shall prepare and submit a report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly setting forth the information gathered and recommendations being put forth as a result of the study no later than May first, two thousand eighteen.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13134-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the department of health to conduct a prescription drug product stewardship disposal program study
Purpose
Directs the Department of Health to conduct a prescription drug product and controlled substances stewardship disposal program study.
Summary of provisions
Section one creates a new § 3343-c under the Public Health Law requiring the Department of Health to study the feasibility of creating a product stewardship program and submit a report to the Governor, Temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly setting forth the information gathered and recommendations no later than May 1, 2018.
Section two provides an effective date.
Justification
As a result of the opioid epidemic gripping our nation, New York has taken many steps over the last few years to reduce the number of prescriptions that are written for pain medications, encourage people to safely dispose of these substances rather than leave them in their medicine cabinets and ensure opportunities for take back are made available. However, much more aggressive efforts are needed to address the problem and incentivize people to safely dispose of controlled substances as well as other medications, which can end up in our environment and water.
Communities and pharmacies around the state have stepped up and regularly hold events and make methods available for drug take back. This legislation recognizes that manufactures must share in the responsibility of taking back medications that they produce and disposing of them safely. Just as we have implemented laws to encourage consumers to return motor oil, tires and bottles, New York must develop a system, which encourages safe disposal of controlled substances and other prescription drugs by consumers through a product stewardship program.
This bill requires the Department of Health to study the feasibility of creating and the mechanism necessary to implement a product stewardship program whereby consumers would be incentivized and encouraged to return unused or unwanted controlled substances or other prescription drugs to an approved location for safe disposal and pharmaceutical manufactures would be required to provide funding for the same either through or a cash or coupon incentive program. The Department is directed to prepare a report, with recommendations for implementing a prescription drug product and controlled substance stewardship program and submit it to the Governor, Senate and Assembly no later than May 1, 2018.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.