EPA cracks down on pharmaceutical waste – Washington Times

The Obama administration said Monday it will dramatically limit the flushing of pharmaceutical waste at hospitals and other health-care facilities as part of a larger effort to improve water quality across the country.

The Environmental Protection Agency proposal, which is now open for public comment, will prevent the flushing of at least 6,400 tons of pharmaceutical waste each year, the agency said in a statement. Specifically, hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, doctors’ offices and other health-care facilities will no longer be allowed to flush pharmaceutical waste down the toilet or dispose of it in the sink.

EPA officials argue the new rule will prevent such waste from finding its way into water supplies.

“These rules provide businesses with certainty and the flexibility they need to successfully operate in today’s marketplace,” said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “The proposals will improve the safety and health of our communities by providing clear, flexible, and protective hazardous waste management standards.”

The agency also says will reduce confusion across the health-care and pharmaceutical sectors, establishing clear guidelines on how such waste should be disposed of.

The regulations come just days after the EPA’s broader plan to regulate waterways — known as the Waters of the United States rule — was blocked by a federal judge who said the agency had overstepped its legal boundaries.