PHARMACY WEEK 2008

Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste

A Social Responsibility Programme

Benzie JoffePharmaceutical Society of South Africa

Dangers of medicine and medical waste

Indiscriminate dumping by unscrupulous operators

Domestic and community environment: Accidental poisoning Unintentional contamination due to

ignorance, lack of knowledge

Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

Reality check Exposé in December 2007 in

Sunday Times “South Africa is in the grip of a

massive medical waste crisis as warehouses and other sites are illegally crammed with tons of rotting body parts and other highly hazardous hospital waste.”

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Statistics: Accidental poisoning Drug-related queries in children under 5

years during 2007: 30% of total calls were related to accidental

poisoning (217 calls out of 733) 18% of queries: - paracetamol 14,5% of queries: - anxiolytics, hypnotics,

antidepressants 12% of queries: - antihistamines and cough

mixtures 7% of queries: - cardiovascular drugs eg beta

blockers Source: Tygerberg Poison Information Centre

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Exposure to medicine Accidental poisoning Children have easy access to drugs Incorrect storage Lack of adequate parental/care-

giver supervision

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PSSA takes action Pharmacy Week 1-7 September Pharmacy Week Committee Theme: Safe Disposal of Medicine

and Medical Waste Call on pharmacists to implement

procedures for safe disposal of medicine

Educational drive to inform the public “Knowledge is Powerful Medicine”

Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

Obtain the Facts

Survey among 800 pharmacists 72 hours, 260 responses Overwhelming response 49% utilise waste disposal

companies

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Waste disposal methods

Current methods of disposal:

Thermal desorption – Thermopower

Legal collection and transportation – Psychem

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What do we do about it? Minimise the waste Reduce the burden Share the responsibility

How do we do it?

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Educate and Inform Educate, inform and assist

pharmacists about legal, ethical medical waste disposal

Educate consumers about responsible use

Create public awareness through media campaign

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Response by PSSA PSSA is being pro-active Legislative Framework as guide Developed SOP 15 point check list Media campaign Inform and involve members and all

other role-players

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Get involved Social responsibility: it is the right thing to

do. Educate and inform consumers Participate in Pharmacy Week The PSSA will support you by providing

Posters Decals Waste Disposal Bags Buttons Finance Educational Information Sustainability?

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Thank You!

Knowledge is Powerful Medicine