AMA adopts new policies on final day of Annual Meeting

With a flood of unused medications already in circulation, the AMA called for the pharmaceutical industry to fund a program to dispose of unwanted medications as hazardous waste. Estimates indicate that between 30 percent and 80 percent of patients do not finish prescriptions for common medication, including pain medication. Many of these drugs are discarded at home. The U.S. Geological Survey sampled rivers and streams and found that up to 80 percent showed traces of drugs, hormones, steroids and personal care products.

"Many of these unused medications, most notably opioids, are diverted and used by someone other than the patient," said AMA President-Elect David O. Barbe, M.D. "Manufacturers should be stewards of their products throughout their lifecycle and provide this critical service to patients and our environment."