Home News Issues My AVMA Jobs Animal Health Public Health @Work Blog Newsletters
Search Tips | Advanced Search     Bookmark and Share
  
 
Search within Advocacy only.

National Issues

Congressional Activities



Federal Regulatory Activities



Other National Activities

 

State Issues

State legislative resources

 

Get involved

About AVMAPAC



AVMA-CAN Government
Action Center



AVMA fellowships



Student externships


Newsletters

The AVMA Advocate



AccessPAC

 

AVMA Member area = AVMA/SAVMA  Members Only


Get Adobe reader

Some files on this page require Adobe Reader software. Click on the image above to download it for free from the Adobe site.

 




 
Federal regulatory environmental issues

Study of Unused Pharmaceuticals from Medical and Veterinary Facilities
View Federal Register document (PDF 202Kb)
Action

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposed collection and comment request of the Study of Unused Pharmaceuticals from Medical and Veterinary Facilities.

Brief Description and AVMA Response

The EPA announced it is planning to seek government clearance to survey veterinary hospitals on disposal of unused pharmaceuticals. The EPA is particularly interested in characterizing pharmaceutical disposal in water, via drain or toilet. The EPA is also requesting information on alternative management options for unused pharmaceuticals and associated costs.

The AVMA commends the EPA for its continued efforts to protect our nation's waters. However, the AVMA believes veterinary facilities are de minimus contributors of pharmaceuticals in water. Consequently, the AVMA believes the current draft survey will be excessively time consuming, economically burdensome, and will likely not provide the information the EPA desires based on current veterinary medical business practices. The AVMA asserts that inclusion of the veterinary medicine in the questionnaire is not necessary for the proper performance of functions of the EPA and the AVMA recommends the removal of veterinary facilities from the survey.

Additional Documents
View EPA Questionnaire (PDF, 493Kb)
View EPA Supporting Statement (PDF, 206Kb)
Full AVMA response
View AVMA's response to the EPA (PDF)
Status Line
AVMA responded on November 10, 2008.