ALBANY – A bill that would
require large chain pharmacies to accept unused prescription medication
for proper disposal is advancing in the state legislature.
One who is a strong supporter of the effort is Ulster County Executive Michael Hein, who said while it will not be a panacea to the opioid epidemic, it would go a long way.
“Not only can you bring back and are they required to take back used motor oil, but it shouldn’t be easier to bring back a bottle or a can than it is to bring back unused prescription medication,” Hein said. “We are talking about issues of life and death. We are talking about people in our community who are devastated by this, families who have had their hearts broken by this incredible disease of addiction.”
Ulster County Health and Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith said
requiring large retail pharmacies to take back drugs at no cost is “an
absolutely essential and effective method of getting highly addictive
drugs off our streets and keeping them out of the hands of our youth.”
