Last week, AMWA submitted comments on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) potential modification to the Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy. FDA’s proposal would require mail-back envelopes to be provided, along with educational materials on safe disposal, with opioid analgesics dispensed in an outpatient setting. AMWA supports efforts that work to reduce pharmaceuticals in our waters.
In the letter, AMWA supported this action and urged FDA to continue this practice with other pharmaceutical drugs. AMWA believes mail-back envelopes are a better solution than flushing unused medications, even those on the approved FDA “flush list,” because flushing directly introduces these pharmaceuticals into the water environment. Association staff will continue to support and track efforts that provide better alternatives for disposing of unused medications.