Bill Could Help Keep Pharmaceuticals
Out of Colorado’s Drinking Water
Out of Colorado’s Drinking Water
DENVER—Today the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed Senate Bill 190, which requires pharmacists to re-dispense certain unused medicines in licensed care centers.
Sponsored by Senator Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton), the bill requires pharmacists, including those who are Medicaid providers, to re-dispense Medicaid medications that are returned and meet certain criteria related to packaging, proper storage, and expiration dates. Currently, pharmacists are not required by law to re-dispense returned medications.
“This bill will go a long way to alleviate some of the concerns about pharmaceuticals in Colorado’s drinking water,” Tochtrop said. “When pharmacists re-dispense unused drugs it saves taxpayer dollars in Medicaid costs and reduces the amount of pharmaceuticals going out in the garbage.”
The bill comes amid concerns that pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking-water supplies of at least 41 million Americans.
The bill next heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
