Parker Waichman LLP

Drugs in Water Study Gets Attention of New York State Lawmakers

Americans take a lot of prescription and over-the-counter medications, leaving a lot of unused medications requiring disposal.  In the wake of the recent revelation about drugs in the drinking water, some lawmakers want drug makers to take back consumers unused drugs, dispose of them in environmentally-friendly ways, and pay for this process.  Use of pharmaceuticals […]

Americans take a lot of prescription and over-the-counter medications, leaving a lot of unused medications requiring disposal.  In the wake of the recent revelation about drugs in the drinking water, some lawmakers want drug makers to take back consumers unused <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/defective_drugs">drugs, dispose of them in environmentally-friendly ways, and pay for this process.  Use of pharmaceuticals has been growing in the United States and reports last month from a five-month news investigation found that 24 of 62 major water systems serving 41 million people nationwide had pharmaceuticals in their water supplies.

The general wisdom is for people to flush unwanted medicine down the toilet, said Senator James Alesi, Republican-Perinton, Monroe County, adding that a few pills may not seem like much to somebody but, “If there are a million people throwing 10 pills each away, that’s 10 million pills into the environment,” he said.  Assemblyman Steven Englebright, Democrat-Suffolk County, a sponsor of the same bill in his house, said recent studies indicate that common medications, including antibiotics, are contaminating drinking water.  “We are creating a national health hazard through our indiscriminant and inappropriate pharmaceutical disposal practices,” he said.  Under the New York bill, drug disposal would not be permitted as solid waste. Consumers would have to take unused medications to a collection program.  The bill is in legislative committee in both houses.  Although it has majority membership—Republicans in the Senate; Democrats in the Assembly—it is expected to create opposition from the industry, mostly because there is no cost estimate.

The main source of water contamination appears to be medication that passes through the human body without being metabolized completely Alan Goldhammer of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America told a U.S. Senate committee this week.  Unused medicines contribute to the mix if they are flushed down toilets or poured into sinks, Goldhammer told senators during the hearing.

Meanwhile, take unused, unneeded or expired medications out of their original containers and throw them in the trash and mix them with an undesired substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and place them in an impermeable container like a sealable bag.  Only flush medications down the toilet if the label or patient information specifically says to do so. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the following drugs should be flushed down the toilet:  Actiq, Daytrana Transdermal Patch, Duragesic transdermal system, OxyContin tablets, Avinza capsules, Baraclude tablets, Tequin tablets, Zerit for Oral Solution, Meperidine HCI tablets, Percocet, Xyrem, and Fentora.  Utilize community pharmaceutical take-back programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal whenever possible.

The five-month-long Associated Press inquiry revealed many communities do not test for drugs in drinking water and those that do often fail to tell customers they have found medications, including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, and sex hormones.  Water providers are not required to test for pharmaceuticals and the EPA’s budget for the testing of endocrine disruptors in America’s waterways was cut by 35 percent.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Very good firm specially if you get helped by Frank Domado !!!
P “Ghost” O
a year ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Christina Morace was my amazing, wonderful, brilliant point of contact. She went above and beyond in helping me. Parker Waichman is very lucky to have someone as great as Chritina Morace.
Eddie Beverly
2 months ago
5 Star Reviews 150
It was great an professional experience! Really i recomend.
Santiago Lopez
4 months ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038