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PHARMACEUTICAL TAKE-BACK PROGRAM MODELS

PHARMACEUTICAL TAKE-BACK PROGRAM MODELS. International programs U.S. programs Program attributes Public need Essential program elements. SPAIN MEDICINE TAKE-BACK. Spain Integrated Waste Management System (SIGRE) ∑ Packaging and leftover medicines accepted.

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PHARMACEUTICAL TAKE-BACK PROGRAM MODELS

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  1. PHARMACEUTICAL TAKE-BACK PROGRAM MODELS • International programs • U.S. programs • Program attributes • Public need • Essential program elements

  2. SPAIN MEDICINE TAKE-BACK Spain Integrated Waste Management System (SIGRE) ∑ Packaging and leftover medicines accepted. ∑ Citizens return medicine to pharmacies across Spain. ∑ Free service. ∑ SIGRE is a non-profit organization funded by the pharmaceutical industry based on sales volume. ∑ In place since 2002. ∑ Collection is taken to a central processing facility for recycling or destruction. Statistics: ∑ Population: 40.3 million. ∑ Number of pharmacies: 261. ∑ Diversion rate: 0.057 kg / capita in 2006.

  3. FRANCE MEDICINE TAKE-BACK • Run in a collaborative manner between manufacturers (265), wholesalers (6), and community pharmacies (22,590). • Run by an association, Cyclamed, with both environmental and humanitarian aims. • Industry-funded system. • Households are invited to return all unused medicines and packaging. • Bags and leaflets are handed out at the time of dispensing; window stickers and posters reinforce this message. • Program established in 1995.

  4. PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS PARTICIPATING IN B.C. TAKEBACK PROGRAM ** Includes Branded R&D, Generic and Over-the-Counter Manufacturers**

  5. B.C. Program Poster

  6. ONE DAY/ SHORT TERM COLLECTION EVENTS • Attendance hard to predict. • Must arrange for law enforcement for controlled substances. • Expectations raised that can’t be met. • Doesn’t address continuous generation of material. • Location may not be convenient or intuitive. • Many lessons learned from Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Pilot. • Photo: DNR Wisconsin: dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/pharm/household.htm Unwanted medicines should be as easy to return as they are to buy. (We are not expected to purchase our medicines one day a month between 12 and 5 at a single location, overseen by a police officer.)

  7. LAW ENFORCEMENT COLLECTION • One example: Controlled substances go to sheriff’s offices: • Heat sealed in a plastic bag. • Placed in locked container. • Sheriff’s Property Officers pick up bags. • Sheriff’s office opened and logged items by chemical name, dose and quantity. ===================== • An interim program for controlled’s. • Collected volumes are low (One example: 350 pounds since 2003). • Not widely replicable. • Inconvenient locations, uncomfortable atmosphere. • Logging requirement isnot sustainable.

  8. MAIL-BACK COLLECTION • Legal structure established in Maine. • Permanent financing not available; EPA grant recently received for $150K. • Waiver received from US Post Office. • Anticipate high cost for mailers and for mailing fees. • Pharmacies could provide mailers and use advertising space.

  9. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION • Limitations: • Sparse, inconvenient locations. • Irregular hours. • Can’t accept controlled substances. • Expensive processing and staffing. • Unfair to put staff at risk of temptation (some HHW sites use corrections labor). • Tax-payer funded, rather than consumer or industry funded.

  10. BEST OF INTENTIONS • Some chain pharmacies are already taking back meds, but without an organized program, and with some of the meds simply put in the dumpster. • Some pharmacists take back meds and put them in their sharps containers - thinking these will be incinerated. (In WA sharps containers are microwaved and put in a landfill.) • There are an increasing number of expensive, local, one-day events with law enforcement trying to take in all medications. • Hazardous waste facilities are taking in drugs and mixing them with liquids such as water or oil. • Pharmacists are having to count and catalogue each pill returned. In all of these cases, there is a higher potential for diversion, or for chemical reactions between drugs, or for low collection rates and high expenses.

  11. 1,300 PHARMACY LOCATIONS IN WASHINGTON STATE

  12. ELEMENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM • Convenience in terms of hours of operation and geographic location. • Security in terms of staffing, transport and disposal. • Comprehensive in terms of accepting controlled substances. • Sustainable in terms of having an equitable and long-term funding mechanism.

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