The Secure Medicine Return Regulations define specific timing of stewardship plan development, review, implementation and reporting. The following overview provides general information on key implementation deadlines. For specific requirements of the Secure Medicine Return Regulations see Board of Health Chapter 11.50.
As of February 13, 2014 some compliance dates have changed and are shown in the implementation timeline below. For more information see Change in Extended Implementation Deadlines.
Overview of Implementation Timeline for Secure Medicine Return Regulations
June 20, 2013
Secure Medicine Return Regulations Adopted.
December 20, 2013
Each drug producer selling covered medicines in or into King County must notify the Director of their intent to participate in a stewardship plan by this date.
December 20, 2013
Each retailer whose store label appears on a covered medicine sold in or into King County shall notify the Director that the manufacturer of the store labeled drug intends to participate in a stewardship plan; otherwise the retailer shall participate as a producer.
November 14, 2014
Drug producers participating in the standard plan, or any independent plan, must notify the Director of the name and contact information for their plan operator by this date.
November 14, 2014
Drug producers participating in the standard plan, or any independent plan, must notify all retail pharmacies and law enforcement agencies in King County of the opportunity to participate as a drop-off site by this date.
February 12, 2015
Drug producers participating in the standard plan, or any independent plan, must submit a proposed stewardship plan to the Director by this date.
May 13, 2015
By this date any proposed stewardship plan submitted for review by drug producers participating in the standard plan, or any independent plan, in compliance with the February 12, 2015 deadline, will be reviewed and approved or rejected no later than ninety days of receipt.
August 13, 2015
By this date medicine collection sites will be operational no later than ninety days from approval of the standard plan, and approval of any independent plan.