San Francisco Considers Ordinance to Require Drug Manufacturers to Pay for Disposal

Supervisors in San Francisco are considering a city ordinance that would require drug manufacturers to fund disposal programs for unwanted prescription drugs. San Francisco attempted to create a similar manufacturer-funded program in 2010, but ultimately established a “slimmed-down version” that did not require pharmaceutical company participation. A similar measure in Alameda County was previously implemented; however, representatives from the US Chamber of Commerce and the pharmaceutical industry, “fiercely opposed the ordinance,” according to Drug Topics. Last month, a federal appeals court upheld the Alameda County ordinance, despite an industry lawsuit, as reported in SF Gate.