The Supreme Court has refused to hear a lawsuit from drugmakers challenging a new requirement to pay for the disposal of their products.
Passed in California by Alameda County, the law requires pharmaceutical companies to set up drug disposal programs within the county where consumers can safety get rid of unused medicines.
Advocates for such measures say they’re important for combatting prescription drug abuse. But drugmakers have been fighting the Alameda provision, arguing that it unconstitutionally requires them to pay for services that local governments should provide.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and two other drug associations appealed to the Supreme Court after losing their challenge last fall before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
San Francisco became the first city with such a law when its ordinance went into effect in March. King County in Washington state also has passed a mandatory drug disposal program. Scott Cassel, founder of the Product Stewardship Council, said the court’s decision “paves the way” for more cities and counties to pass mandatory drug disposal programs.
“This is good news for the residents of Alameda County … who will have a safe and convenient way to dispose of their unused and expired medications,” he said.
