excessive paper packaging in pharmaceutical samples martin donohoe, md, facp
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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– 1978 - 14,000 available landfills– 1990 - 5,000– 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 = 0.0132
Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples
• Results (cont.):
Weight (g) % of Total Weight
Total Sample Mass 2090.00 100%Total Pill Mass 260.00 12%Total Bottle Mass 260.00 12%Total Plastic/Foil Packaging Mass 220.00 11%Total Paper Packaging Mass 1350.00 65%
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)
Contact Information
Public Health and Social Justice Website
http://www.phsj.org