In July of 2006, the Pharmacy Needle
Access Law was passed with the intent of
reducing injuries and the spread of
disease. The law includes a mandate to
design a statewide program to dispose of
needles and other ‘sharps’ safely and
responsibly. On March 12, 2008, the
Massachusetts Department of Public
Health, Public Health Council
(MDPH/PHC) approved amendments to
the state’s medical waste regulations,
which include a ban on the disposal of
sharps in household trash, effective on
July 1, 2012.