CHICAGO (AP) — Two Illinois Democrats are calling on the pharmaceutical industry to help dispose of leftover medications that could feed addiction.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth sent a letter Thursday to the president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
They are pushing the idea that drug makers have a responsibility to ease addiction’s social impacts. They suggest manufacturers provide financial support for take-back programs and responsible disposal of opioid medications that can be highly addictive when misused.
The Durbin-Duckworth letter says Alameda County, California, and King County, Washington, have passed ordinances to require drug makers to underwrite or manage drug take-back programs.
Spokeswoman Priscilla VanderVeer says the manufacturers group supports efforts to educate patients about appropriate use, secure storage and safe disposal of unused medicine.
