WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Vice President of Alliance Development and State Government Relations Fritz Bittenbender issued the following statement today regarding Alameda County, California's new ordinance requiring drug makers to set up programs to dispose of expired and unused drugs:

"BIO supports effective efforts to protect patients, safeguard water resources, and address potential abuses associated with unused medications. The ordinance passed this week in Northern California's Alameda County, while well intended, will have little impact on any of these concerns.

There is no scientific consensus that drug take-back programs help the environment or reduce instances of prescription drug abuse. In fact, segregating unused prescription drugs from conventional solid waste may serve to increase illegal drug trafficking.

Ultimately, this measure will simply increase costs, and potentially limit patient access to certain life-saving therapies."

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the worlds largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling innovations transforming our world. Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO India International Conference September 12 13, 2012 Mumbai, India

Livestock Biotech Summit September 19 21, 2012 Kansas City, MO

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BIO Opposes A Northern California County's New Drug Disposal Law