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• Introduced by Rep. Dawn Morrell, (D-Puyallup) (D) on January 14, 2009, to require the manufactures of pharmaceuticals to provide a collection program for unwanted or unused drugs. This act would require all producers of drugs sold in this state to participate in a take-back program by January 1, 2012. The take-back programs must be operated at the expense of the producer without passing along costs to consumers. (See also Companion SB 5279).
  • Referred to the House Environmental Health Committee on January 14, 2009.
    • Substitute offered in the House on January 28, 2009, removes discretionary penalty assessment authority by the DOE under the enforcement provisions and specifies the amount of a penalty for specific violations. The definition of "producer" no longer includes retailers who elect to act as producers or retailers who place a store label on a covered product. The substitute bill confirms that controlled substances dispensed by prescription or restricted to use by practitioners are covered products under the bill. The purpose for which moneys can be loaned from the State Toxics Control Account is limited to the initial administration of the program. Money may not be loaned "from time to time" for this purpose . The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on January 28, 2009.
    • Referred to the House General Government Appropriations Committee on February 2, 2009.
      • Substitute offered in the House on February 26, 2009, to change the approving agency from the Department of Ecology to the Board of Pharmacy(Board), and requires that the product stewardship programs for unwanted drugs from residential sources be licensed by the Board. Product stewardship plans must include a description of how patient information on drug packaging will be secure during collection, transportation, and disposal of the drugs. Hospitals are exempt from the application of this bill, and a clarification is made that compounding pharmacists are not considered producers under the bill. The penalty for drug wholesalers who sell products in Washington from producers who are not participating in a licensed product stewardship program is removed, but wholesalers are required to provide a list to the Board of producers of products they sell, and update the list by January 15, of each year. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on February 26, 2009.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 2, 2009.