Handling, Transfer And Transport Of Waste Consultation - Pharmacy Bodies Comment

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 06 Sep 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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The NPA is one of five bodies representing community pharmacy businesses that have submitted a joint response to the second consultation carried out by DEFRA on the Handling, Transfer and Transport of Waste.

The consultation seeks views on the measures needed to reduce the incidence of fly-tipping and inappropriate disposal of waste.

DEFRA has an important role in reducing the incidence of fly-tipping, but sometimes a 'one size fits all' approach to legislation has unintended consequences. The joint response seeks to remind DEFRA of the value of the unwanted medicines service introduced in 2005 for NHS pharmacies in England and Wales, and identifies parts of the proposals that could adversely impact on the ability of pharmacists and their staff to help the public dispose of their medicines safely.

Pharmacists and their staff who deliver medicines to their patients may sometimes be asked to carry unwanted medicines back to the pharmacy for safe and appropriate disposal. The proposals in the consultation could require every vehicle used for this activity to be registered and to display a registration disc. They could also be subject to the same degree of control as large commercial waste contractors, even though this activity may be infrequent and ancillary to the pharmaceutical services being provided - this would simply be disproportionate.

The pharmacy bodies which produced the joint response are:

- Association of Multiple Pharmacies;
- Community Pharmacy Wales
- Company Chemists' Association
- National Pharmacy Association
- Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee.

National Pharmacy Association