Alameda County passes law that makes drugmakers pay for disposing of unused drugs

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oakland-tribune/ci_21149598/alameda-county-passes-law-that-makes-drugmakers-pay

In a vote closely watched by the pharmaceutical industry, Alameda County approved a law making drug companies responsible for the cost of disposing of unused portions of their products.

Supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday during a second reading of the ordinance, delayed for months by industry opposition despite support from law enforcement and environmentalists.

Alameda County is "setting a national precedent" Robert Kennedy Jr., an environmental activist, wrote in a letter to supervisors.

State Sen. Loni Hancock said in a statement read during the meeting that she wants to see California adopt a similar policy.

And April Rovero, founder of the National Coalition against Prescription Drug Abuse, called it "a pillar of attack on prescription drug abuse epidemic."

Pharmaceutical representatives chose not to comment during Tuesday's meeting.

"We are interested in what works," BayBio lobbyist Ritchard Engelhardt said afterward. BayBio is a pharmacy trade group based in South San Francisco that has been vocal in its opposition during past meetings.

The industry, he said Tuesday, is opposed to spending money on unproven, ineffective programs like the one in Alameda County.