Helen Pervanas PharmD, R.Ph. Assistant Professor Pharmacy Practice MCPHS-Manchester/Worcester
I have no financial relationships to disclose
List the concerns associated with improper medication disposal Describe the steps involved in organizing a medication disposal event Discuss the results of a community based medication collection event
Prescription and Over-the-Counter drug use continues to increase Exceeded $200 billion in the U.S. in 2007* 65 and older population projected to increase from 12.4% in 2000 to 19.6% in 2030 *Sources: IMS Health and US Census Bureau, NERC photo
Flushing medication down the toilet Rinsing down the sink Throwing medication in the trash Stockpiling medications/sharing with others
Environmental concerns Unintentional ingestion Drug diversion
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) in surface and groundwater Detected pharmaceutical agents Estrogen hormones Anti-infectives Anticonvulsants Mood stabilizers Source: US Geological Survey
Threat to pets and humans 95% of unintentional deaths were drug related Opioid pain medications Source: CDC
Source: NH Department of Environmental Services, April NH deaths up 350% Exceeded traffic deaths in NH
Abuse of controlled substances doubled from 7.8 million in 1992 to 15.1 million in 2003 Prescription drugs are the drug of choice for teens; 12 and 13 years of age Pain medications Ranked 2 nd highest abused drug(marijuana 1 st ) Source: Washington State Dept of Ecology and D.A.R.E.
Local Health Plan-Anthem BC/BS (400,000 lives), Manchester, NH Earth Day, April 22, 2009 (9am-1pm)
Research Contact regulatory agencies Review federal and state laws Choose a venue
NH Board of Pharmacy (BOP) NH Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) NH Department of Environmental Services (DES)
Law enforcement required for controlled substance collection Procurement of a temporary Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identification number Arrangements for pharmaceutical and hazardous waste disposal
Staffing/Volunteers Purchase supplies Advertising
Press Release Senior Centers to employees Local Newspaper Public TV
ITEMCOST (dollars) Supplies$200 Giveaways for consumers$200 Gift cards for volunteers$100 Waste Disposal Fee$50* Hazardous Waste Disposal$510 Traffic Control by MPD$250 Total Expenses$1310 * Cost was minimal due to MPD
Police officials Health Plan employees Pharmacists Student Pharmacists
Lap top computer/printer Flash drive Counting trays Drug identification resources Plastic bins/bags Non-latex gloves Face mask Reflective vest Bin for recyclables
Consumers drop off medications in a drive- thru fashion Greeted by health plan volunteers Patient information distributed on proper disposal Procedure for drop off Drive up to entrance where pharmacist inspects medications Medications transferred to counting area by police official
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recommends that you: Take unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers and throw them in the trash. Mix prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter and put them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags. Don’t flush prescription drugs down the toilet unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so. Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take- back programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal.
Greeters welcome consumers Provide information Pharmacist inspects medications Remove patient information
Pharmacists and student pharmacists collect, sort, count and document Place medications in collection bins Controlled substances Hazardous waste All other medications
Total of 41,601 units Weighing ~100 lbs 40 consumers attended MedicationsPercentUnits Non-Controlled78%32,305 Over-the- Counter 18%7,618 Controlled3%1356 Hazardous Material 1%322
Top controlled substances Anxiolytics and narcotic pain meds Top non-controlled substances Phosphate binders and psychiatric meds Top OTC substances Vitamins Top hazardous waste substances Mercaptopurine Warfarin
NameNumber (%) Lorazepam16% Hydrocodone APAP15% Hydrocodone/ Homatropine Syrup13% Oxycodone/APAP12% Pregabalin8%
NameNumber (%) Calcium Acetate10% Risperidone6% Olanzapine5% Furosemide5% Doxazocin4%
NameNumber (%) Multivitamin11% Calcium + vitamin D8% Iron products8% Docusate sodium8% Sennoside7%
Early and extensive advertising Hold event on weekend day Explicit information regarding acceptable medications i.e. original containers
“Relieved to have them out of the house and away from grandchildren” “Wonderful! Been holding on to medication for over a year” “Can’t flush, no one wants them” “Great to have this program. Did not know what to do with them” “Waiting for event to dispose” “Great service to the public” “Delighted this program is being held”