Federal and state hazardous waste handling and disposal requirements, which were established to address issues related to industrial waste generators and disposal facilities, are often a complicated and awkward fit for retail pharmacies and other "healthcare facilities." Over the past few years, New York and many other states have increased inspections of and enforcement activity against retail pharmacies. These inspections have revealed that many pharmacies face a myriad of compliance challenges due to the complicated hazardous waste regulatory framework.
This article focuses on recent efforts by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to promote increased compliance by retail pharmacies, as well as on the limitations of NYSDEC's approach.
Read the article here.