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PHARMACY WEEK 2008

PHARMACY WEEK 2008. Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste A Social Responsibility Programme Benzie Joffe Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa. Dangers of medicine and medical waste. Indiscriminate dumping by unscrupulous operators Domestic and community environment:

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PHARMACY WEEK 2008

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  1. PHARMACY WEEK 2008 Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste ASocial Responsibility Programme Benzie Joffe Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa

  2. Dangers of medicine and medical waste • Indiscriminate dumping by unscrupulous operators • Domestic and community environment: • Accidental poisoning • Unintentional contamination due to ignorance, lack of knowledge Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  3. Reality check • Exposé in December 2007 in Sunday Times • “South Africa is in the grip of a massive medical waste crisis as warehouses and other sites are illegally crammed with tons of rotting body parts and other highly hazardous hospital waste.” Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  4. Statistics: Accidental poisoning • Drug-related queries in children under 5 years during 2007: • 30% of total calls were related to accidental poisoning (217 calls out of 733) • 18% of queries: - paracetamol • 14,5% of queries: - anxiolytics, hypnotics, antidepressants • 12% of queries: - antihistamines and cough mixtures • 7% of queries: - cardiovascular drugs eg beta blockers • Source: Tygerberg Poison Information Centre Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  5. Exposure to medicine • Accidental poisoning • Children have easy access to drugs • Incorrect storage • Lack of adequate parental/care-giver supervision Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  6. PSSA takes action • Pharmacy Week 1-7 September • Pharmacy Week Committee • Theme: Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste • Call on pharmacists to implement procedures for safe disposal of medicine • Educational drive to inform the public • “Knowledge is Powerful Medicine” Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  7. Obtain the Facts • Survey among 800 pharmacists • 72 hours, 260 responses • Overwhelming response • 49% utilise waste disposal companies Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  8. Waste disposal methods • Current methods of disposal: • Thermal desorption – Thermopower • Legal collection and transportation – Psychem Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  9. What do we do about it? • Minimise the waste • Reduce the burden • Share the responsibility How do we do it? Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  10. Educate and Inform • Educate, inform and assist pharmacists about legal, ethical medical waste disposal • Educate consumers about responsible use • Create public awareness through media campaign Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  11. Response by PSSA • PSSA is being pro-active • Legislative Framework as guide • Developed SOP • 15 point check list • Media campaign • Inform and involve members and all other role-players Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  12. Get involved • Social responsibility: it is the right thing to do. • Educate and inform consumers • Participate in Pharmacy Week • The PSSA will support you by providing • Posters • Decals • Waste Disposal Bags • Buttons • Finance • Educational Information • Sustainability? Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  13. Thank You! Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

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