excessive paper packaging in pharmaceutical samples martin donohoe, md, facp

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

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

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples

Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

Page 2: 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

Page 3: Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

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

Page 4: Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

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

Page 5: Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

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

Page 6: Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

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%

Page 7: Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

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

Page 8: Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

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)

Page 9: Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples

• Solution– awareness of problem/context– pressure on industry (worked successfully with

compact disc packaging)

Page 10: Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

Contact Information

Public Health and Social Justice Website

http://www.phsj.org

[email protected]