Transcript Document

Unused Patient Medication Disposal
Concerns About Pharmaceutical Disposal
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Pharmaceuticals have been found in surface and ground sources of
drinking water
Minute concentrations of endocrine disruptors have been found in
waste water treatment plant receiving waters
– Having detrimental effects on aquatic species
– May have an impact on human health
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Sources of Pharmaceuticals in Waterways
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Pharmaceuticals in the News
Medical facilities making uncontrolled releases of
controlled drugs into water
By JEFF DONN | AP National Writer 12:36 PM EDT, September 14, 2008
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ In a frustrating quirk in government policy, the most tightly controlled drugs — like painkilling narcotics prone to
abuse — are the ones that most often elude environmental regulation when they become waste.
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Unused patient medication in the U.S.
• Approximately 4 billion prescriptions are filled in the United States
annually, and it has been estimated that as much as 35% of the
dispensed medication goes unused, resulting in over 200 million pounds
of pharmaceuticals which can adversely affect the environment if
disposed of improperly.
• Improper disposal or diversion of unused medications increase the risk
of accidental poisoning and drug abuse.
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• TakeAway™ Envelope
• 10 & 20 Gallon TakeAway™
Community Environmental
Return System
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Sharps RxTakeAway® Capabilities:
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USPS – A Federal Agency takes custody of envelope
Tracked, validated and measurable results
Currently in use and in test programs
Sustainable costs
Production
– Handled by licensed law enforcement officials
– Securely stored (packaging is never opened)
– Weight and date stamped
– Witnessed and assured destruction
• Online data warehouse of production
• All products, except controls are returned from patients
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Sharps® TakeAway Customized Packaging:
• Costs included:
– Packaging
– Instructions
– Tracking
– Return postage
– Security
– Assured destruction
• Customization (TBD)
• Tamper evident packaging
• Police process the return
• Approved by
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Sharps® TakeAway Customized Packaging:
• 10 & 20 Gallon System
– Packaging
– Instructions
– Tracking
– Return UPS
– Security
– Assured destruction
• Customization (TBD)
• Tamper evident packaging
• Police process the return
• Approved by UPS
• Ideal for community and event returns programs
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Tracking Capabilities:
• Secure, proprietary online data warehouse, unique for each client.
– Outbound inventory
– Returned inventory
– Date of return
– Condition of return
– Weight of return
– Current status of return (stored)
– Date of destruction
– 7/24 access
– Customized reporting available
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Controls:
• Plant is registered by the DEA as a Reverse Distributor (I-V)
• Was approved by DEA (twice) – Currently approval is on hold pending a
legislative change, vs the granted exception
– Build out of cage/vault is completed
– Staffed with licensed law enforcement
• Sharps has made comments for the current review taking place by the
DEA
• Have congressional support for initiative
• Currently, packaging and/or IFU’s state “No Controls”
• No inventory is opened
• All inventory is tracked, incinerated and witnessed
• USPS agreement in place to allow for controls, once DEA grants
permission
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Success of Mailback Programs:
Lessons Learned
• Dependent on extent of Public Relations
• Used in first fills/changes of script/recalls
• Patients will contribute to help lower costs
• Needs to be simple to drive participation and lower costs
• Significant public awareness exists of the need for a solution
Rules on What Can Be Returned
• No Controlled Substances
• Each liquid, should be 4oz or less, placed in a individual plastic bag
• Envelopes sealed in original dispensed package
• Customizable via printing on envelope, IFU’s or program i.e. recall
• All packaging is serialized and tracked
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Advantages of a Mailback System:
• Environmental
– Participant does not have to drive to location ( also increases
participation)
– Uses existing logistics (USPS is at their home already, no additional
footprint)
– Eliminate truck to pick up and location personnel involvement
• Security and risk reduction
– Patient can call USPS to pick up from home
– Product is with a federal agency (diversion reduction)
– Handled in plant by law enforcement
– Assured and witnessed destruction
– Packages - all are tracked/serialized
– No possibility for re-dispensing or return for credit
• Frees pharmacy personnel to focus on patient care
• HIPAA compliant – patient opts in, packages not opened
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