Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Safe disposal of leftover drugs

Published (4/15/2010)
By Sue Hegarty
Share on: 



The list of people allowed to handle prescription drugs for safe disposal will expand.

Sponsored by Rep. Paul Gardner (DFL-Shoreview) and Sen. John Doll (DFL-Burnsville), the new law was proposed as the “Minnesota Safe Drug Disposal Act,” and included plans to collect discarded drugs from medical facilities, where state law required them to be flushed down the toilet. The product stewardship plan was removed in committee because it was considered an unfunded mandate on nursing homes. Instead, the law simply allows for the handling of drugs by employees in certain professions.

Signed April 10 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and effective April 11, 2010, the law defines who may legally possess leftover drugs, including their collection, storage, transport and destruction. The law includes prescription and non-prescription drugs categorized as legend drugs. A provision for “reverse distribution” would enable drugs to be returned to their producers or distributors.

HF1217*/ SF1568/CH223

Session Weekly More...


Session Weekly Home



Related Stories


Doling out resources
Omnibus environment and natural resources law also contains energy provisions
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

Definitions matter
Language for environment and energy spending called into question
(view full story) Published 5/13/2010

Supplant or supplement?
Some think constitutionally dedicated funds may be filling traditional funding void
(view full story) Published 4/29/2010

Sinking the law on sunken timber
DNR intends to let sleeping logs lie
(view full story) Published 4/29/2010

Minnesota Index: Earth, wind and fire
Figures and statistics on Earth Day and the environment
(view full story) Published 4/15/2010

Minnesota Index: Quality of life
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's quality of life
(view full story) Published 3/25/2010

Talkin’ trash
PCA discovers interpreting the letter of the law isn’t easy
(view full story) Published 3/18/2010

Land wHOa!
Audit suggests DNR has more land than they can manage
(view full story) Published 3/11/2010

Safe Drug Disposal Act
Leftover drugs find their way to fish and teens
(view full story) Published 2/11/2010

At Issue: Money for outdoors, arts gets green light
Legacy bill passes but still needs work
(view full story) Published 5/29/2009

At Issue: Unearthing the state’s past
Legacy bill moves through final process quickly, awaits floor action
(view full story) Published 5/8/2009

At Issue: Funding environment and energy
Conferees make additional spending cuts
(view full story) Published 5/8/2009

First Reading: Wildfire in slow motion
Emerald ash borer ignites prevention policies
(view full story) Published 5/1/2009

At Issue: Animal, vegetable, mineral … or chemical?
Toxic Free Kids Act survives House floor omnibus debate
(view full story) Published 4/24/2009

At Issue: Control-alt-delete
Electronic waste collections called ‘too successful’
(view full story) Published 4/10/2009

Minnesota Index: Extreme weather
Figures and statistics on weather records in Minnesota
(view full story) Published 4/10/2009

At Issue: Spending new proceeds
Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council considers projects for new tax receipts
(view full story) Published 2/6/2009