1. Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

2. 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

3. Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Only 25-30% of paper is recycled; most ends up in landfills Available landfills space decreasing –1978 - 14,000 available landfills –1990 - 5,000 –result - garbage exportation by states

4. 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

5. 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 = 0.0132

6. Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Results (cont.):

7. 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

8. 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)

9. Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Solution –awareness of problem/context –pressure on industry (worked successfully with compact disc packaging)

10. Contact Information Public Health and Social Justice Website http://www.phsj.org martindonohoe@phsj.org