Safe Medicine Disposal for ME: 2011 Update Presentation at the 2011 International Symposium on Safe Medicine Jennifer Crittenden, MSW Safe Medicine Disposal for ME Project Director UMaine Center on Aging Funded by an allocation from a Fund for Healthy Maine

Disclosure This presenter DOES NOT have an interest in selling a technology, program, product, and/or service to CME/CE professionals.

Program Overview Statewide drug mailback program in Maine Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and an allocation from the Fund for a Healthy Maine Administered by Maine DEA

Program Model Postage-paid medicine return envelopes are distributed to selected pharmacies and organizations across the state at no cost Staff members then give the envelopes and an instruction packet to interested participants

Summary of Accomplishments 36,400 envelopes distributed statewide Over 6,500lbs of drugs collected 6,543 surveys collected and analyzed 31% response rate 3,684 telephone calls answered via the program helpline 5

Drug Returns Data 20,818 envelopes collected 57% return rate Over 380,000 pills collected 35,453 tablets of Oxycodone and Oxycodone/APAP collected The street value of Oxycodone collected from 2008-June 2011 is estimated to be $388,408

Consumer Profile Average age of mailback program users: 63 years of age Age range of those for whom the medicine was prescribed: 1 year – 99 years of age 63% returning their own medicine 20% returning for a deceased family member/friend

Consumer Profile A third of program users would have flushed the medicine Another 37% would have put the medicine in the trash 79% use the program because it’s best for the environment

Collaboration Husson University School of Pharmacy University of New England College of Pharmacy Photo credits: Bangor Daily News

Collaboration Local pharmacies including Miller Drug Donated time by community volunteers

Collaboration

Current Operations Fall 2011 Mailers available through statewide network of participating pharmacies and partnering sites (approx. 150 sites) Program open to individuals of all ages Funding in place through spring 2012 No expansion or new sites 12

Future Directions Exploring funding opportunities through private partnerships and research grants Continue partnerships with pharmacy schools, community pharmacies, volunteers and support takeback events when possible Piloting mailback with a mental health services provider and a healthcare site (examining new applications)

Future Directions Continue expanding model through partnerships with PA Sea Grant, University of Wisconsin Extension, and other national organizations

Want to know more? Daily operations: Jennifer Crittenden, M.S.W. Project Director Fiscal and Administrative Officer UMaine Center on Aging jennifer.crittenden@umit.maine.edu Project administration: Lenard Kaye, D.S.W./Ph.D. Principal Investigator Director and Professor len.kaye@umit.maine.edu General Project Information: Phone: 1-866-ME-RX-RID (1-866-637-9743) Email: info@safemeddisposal.com Website:www.safemeddisposal.com