Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP
Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Samples –utility –large, colorful single use packages Paper packaging constitutes up to 50% of the 180 million tons of garbage Americans produce each year, and represents the fastest growing segment of garbage production
Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Only 25-30% of paper is recycled; most ends up in landfills Available landfills space decreasing – ,000 available landfills – ,000 –result - garbage exportation by states
Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Purpose: determine the relative amounts of packaging and pills in pharmaceutical samples in a university general medicine clinic (three 8x3x3 ft. cabinets) Methods: weight and volume measured for all components of one of each sample type
Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Results: –92 packages contained 665 pills (7.2 6.2 pills/package, mean SD) –paper packaging constitutes 65% of overall package weight –pill volume/paper product box volume =
Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Results (cont.):
Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Conclusions: –Pharmaceutical samples contain a very high ration of packaging to pills –Large packages may contribute to increased brand recognition and prescribing, but also take up excessive space in overcrowded clinics and constitute a wasteful use of paper products derived from trees, a precious natural resource
Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples The future –The Paperboard Packaging Council predicts that U.S. medicinal carton use will grow 5% / yr. Over the next four years. –Increased development of cartons with curves, metallic coatings, holograms, and barrier coatings (all less recyclable)
Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Solution –awareness of problem/context –pressure on industry (worked successfully with compact disc packaging)
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