APhA Policy Manual

APhA calls for action that addresses and mitigates the significant and negative impacts of climate change on global health.

APhA urges pharmacists to expand patient access to secure, convenient, and environmentally responsible drug disposal options, in accordance with the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, by implementing disposal programs they deem appropriate for their individual practice sites, patient care settings, and business models in an effort to reduce the amount of dispensed but unused prescription drug product available for diversion and misuse.

1. APhA encourages pharmacist involvement in the planning and coordination of medication take-back programs for the purpose of disposal.
2. APhA supports increasing public awareness regarding medication take-back programs for the purpose of disposal.
3. APhA urges public and private stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies, to coordinate and create uniform, standardized laws, regulations and policies, including issues related to liability and sustainable funding sources, for the proper and safe disposal of unused medications.
4. APhA recommends ongoing medication take-back and disposal programs.

APhA supports research and development of pharmaceutical packaging disposal by pharmacists, pharmaceutical manufacturers, waste product managers, and other stakeholders to increase recycling, reduce unnecessary waste, and minimize the opportunity for counterfeiters to use discarded packaging.

1. APhA opposes the sale of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in pharmacies until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.
2. APhA opposes the use of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in areas subject to current clean air laws, regulations, and policies for combustible tobacco products until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.
3. APhA urges pharmacists to become more knowledgeable about e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products.

APhA urges implementation of strategies throughout the pharmaceutical product lifecycle (e.g., research, development, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, dispensing, use, and disposal) to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

1. APhA encourages appropriate public and private partnerships to accept responsibility for the costs of implementing safe medication disposal programs for consumers. Furthermore, APhA urges DEA to permit the safe disposal of controlled substances by consumers or on their behalf.
2. APhA encourages provision of patient-appropriate quantities of medication supplies to minimize unused medications and unnecessary medication disposal.

1. As a matter of patient safety, APhA opposes the re-dispensing of a previously dispensed medication once it has been out of the control of a health care professional.
2. APhA supports a public awareness program to explain why the re-dispensing of a previously dispensed medication once it is out of the control of the healthcare professional is a public health safety concern.

APhA supports collaboration with other interested health care organizations, public and environmental health groups, waste management groups, syringe manufacturers, health insurers, and patient advocacy groups to develop and promote safer systems and procedures for the disposal of used needles and syringes by patients outside of health care facilities.

1. APhA supports the proper handling and disposal of hazardous, pharmaceutical products and associated supplies and materials by health professionals and by patients to whom such products, supplies, and materials are provided.
2. APhA supports involvement with representatives from other health professional organizations, industry, and government to develop recommendations for the proper handling and disposal of hazardous pharmaceuticals and associated supplies and materials.
3. APhA supports the development of educational programs for health professionals and patients on the proper handling and disposal of hazardous pharmaceuticals and associated supplies and materials.