pharmacists’ perspective on unwanted/waste pharmaceuticals psi: pharmaceuticals national dialogue...
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Pharmacists’ Perspective on Unwanted/Waste Pharmaceuticals
PSI: Pharmaceuticals National Dialogue
Sacramento, CA
June 19, 2008
Shirley Reitz, Pharm.D., BCPS
Associate Director, Pharmacy Clinical Services
Group Health Cooperative
Seattle, WA
Pharmacists’ Perspective
Is there a problem?
If there is an issue, what are the primary challenges for Pharmacy in helping to solve this issue?
What is needed to move this issue forward?
Is there a problem?
Patient Demand
2006 WCRC survey of 400 King County households revealed
39% have 10 or more medicine containers in their homes Only 33% report that they are currently using or plan to use these meds 74% stated they would be willing to dispose of the meds in a convenient location
“We are cleaning out my Grandfather’s house and I have a suitcase full of drugs that we need to get rid of. Can we bring them into your disposal site?”
“Our neighborhood association (over 400 homes) would like to provide some education to the families in our neighborhood about drugs in their homes – can we tell them to bring their meds to you for disposal?”
“Please dispose of this medication. Enclosed is a donation….”
Is there a problem?
Patient Demand
Over 10,000 lbs of unwanted medications collected and incinerated
Implemented in all 25 Group Health pharmacy locations
Regional pharmacy chain implementing in 10 additional pilot sites
Collected Drugs, Percent by Weight
Is there a problem?
The majority of teens (57%), who use these products, say they get prescription drugs for free from a relative or friend (47%), or take them from a relative or friend (10%), without asking; and
Adolescents are more likely than young adults to become dependent on prescription medication.
•New abusers of prescription drugs have caught up with new users of marijuana; •Pain relievers, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, are the most commonly abused prescription drugs by teens; •One third of all new abusers of prescription drugs in 2005 were 12-17-year olds;•Prescription drugs are the drug of choice among 12- and 13-year olds;
Patient Safety - “Teens and Prescription Drugs” 2007 White House ONDCP report:
Is there a problem?
What are the challenges for Pharmacy?
Regulatory
Controlled Substance Act
Drug Enforcement Agency
State Boards of Pharmacy
Cost
Need affordable solutions
Pharmacies/Patients should not be required to fund solutions
Lack of Educational Outreach
Education of patients and healthcare professionals
Lack of guidance at the national level
National pharmacy associations
What do we need to move forward?
Models that demonstrate a safe, secure, convenient, affordable disposal system
Pilot program in 25 Group Health Pharmacy locations in Washington state
Design and develop secure disposal bin
Tracking system from consumer deposit to incineration
Regulatory responsiveness
Allow secure collection of controlled substances from public in convenient locations (pharmacies)
Reduce administrative burden
Cost
Ensure that burden of disposal cost does not fall to patients or to the pharmacies
What do we need to move forward?
Educating consumers to take action
Media campaign Training for care providers to
educate patients Web site development (such as
www.medicinereturn.com)
What do we need to move forward?
Health Care Providers
Group Health
Businesses
Bartell Drug Company
Non-profit agencies
Interagency Resource for Achieving Cooperation (IRAC)
Northwest Product Stewardship Council
WA Citizens for Resource Conservation
Pacific NW Pollution Prevention Resource Center
State and local government
King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program
Snohomish County Solid Waste Management Division
Public Health – Seattle and King County
WA Department of Ecology
Advisors
WA State Board of Pharmacy
WA Department of Social and Health Services
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
National Dialogue and Development of Partnerships
Pharmacists’ Perspective
Contact Information
Shirley Reitz, Pharm.D., BCPS
Associate Director, Pharmacy Clinical Services
Group Health Cooperative
Seattle, WA 98168
206-901-4334