The California Medical Waste Management Program (MWMP) within the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulates medical waste under the Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA). The law protects public health and the environment by establishing strict requirements for the generation, handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of medical waste.
Per the CDPH website, pharmaceutical waste generated in California must be treated by incineration or by an alternative treatment technology that has received approval from the Department.
As a regulated business charcoal-based pharmaceutical waste disposal products advertised online have not been approved by CDPH. While they might be DEA compliant they are not compliant with the State of California. All forms of this treatment must be placed in a pharmaceutical waste container and sent to a transfer station. It is against the law to dispose of this waste as solid waste or sent to a landfill.
AB 1442 exempts unwanted pharmaceuticals from the definition of “pharmaceutical waste” if they are being sent to a properly-licensed reverse distributor. Under California law, a reverse distributor is defined as every person who acts as an agent for pharmacies, drug wholesalers, manufacturers, and other entities by receiving, inventorying, and managing the disposition of outdated or unsalable drugs. California Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 4053.2
Pacific Rx Disposal can help your facility meet California’s regulatory requirements while providing reliable, secure, and environmentally responsible disposal solutions. Register today to place your order or contact us to discuss your pharmaceutical waste disposal needs.