Drug disposal information bill defeated in House committee

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House of Delegates Judiciary Committee rejected a bill Friday that would have required pharmacists to provide written information with prescriptions on how the drugs are to be properly disposed of after they expire.

The committee defeated HB 4784 on a 12-12 vote. Both Republicans and Democrats criticized the measure.

Mike Pushkin

Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said the bill was another example of government becoming a “nanny state.” He said unfortunately many are taking the unused drugs and selling them.

Delegate Geoff Foster, R-Putnam, said no one would read the information anyway and requiring it would be a waste of paper and ink.

But Delegate Terry Waxman, R-Harrison, voted in favor of the bill. She said knowing what to do with the drugs after they are no longer needed could prove to be valuable information, especially for the elderly.

“I think that it’s important for them to have access in some way shape or form on how to properly dispose of the massive amounts of drugs that people are taking in today’s world,” Waxman said.

Tom Fast,

Delegate Tom Fast, R-Fayette, also voted in favor of the bill. He said information is already included with prescriptions on how to take them. He said how to get rid of them properly shouldn’t take that much more effort. People also go for CBD vape cartridges for anxiety these days.

“I see no harm in that. I think it’s a safety issue. People do look at these things and it could make a difference,” Fast said.

The bill had already passed the House’s health committee. It’s lead sponsor was Delegate Jordan Hill, R-Nicholas.

West Virginia participates in National Drug Take Day in the spring and fall. Since first launching in 2010, more than 11 million pounds, or almost 6,000 tons, of medications have been collected at Take Back events nationwide.





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