Title : Sustainable management of pharmaceutical waste: smart labeling for the reuse of unexpired medications
Abstract:
Pharmaceutical waste constitutes a significant environmental challenge, with millions of dollars worth of unused medications being discarded annually. The mismanagement of pharmaceutical waste not only poses a critical ecological problem but also imposes a substantial global economic burden. Medicinal products that have exceeded their expiration dates or have been stored under improper conditions may exhibit issues related to efficacy and safety, rendering them unsuitable for patient consumption. Such medications often dispose of in bins, sinks and natural environments. However, these medicines should be returned to healthcare providers (hospitals, pharmacies, etc.) to ensure proper disposal. Beyond expired medicines, unused medications are also discarded due to treatment failure, adverse effects, patient non-compliance, and mortality. Rather than being discarded into the environment by patients, the potential reuse of these medications can have both economic and environmental advantages.
Organizations collect unused and unexpired medicines for redistribution to individuals in need. Notably, two such organizations in the United States are SafeNetRx, established in 2001, and SIRUM, which has been in existence since 2005. In Greece, GIVMED has facilitated the utilization of unexpired medicines by other patients since 2016. These initiatives provide medicines to thousands of disadvantaged individuals in the US and Greece, thereby mitigating drug waste and environmental pollution. While initiatives exist in the UK and the Netherlands to redistribute returned drugs, these initiatives are yet to be implemented. The reuse of these medicines may understandably raise concerns about the stability and safety of the medicines. However, survey studies reveal that a majority of patients are willing to use returned medications provided their quality and safety are assured.
Medications are stored under optimal conditions of temperature, humidity, and light to maintain their stability and are transported and stored under these conditions in the manufacturing company, drug stores, pharmacies, and healthcare facilities. However, once these medications are dispensed to patients, there is no system for tracking them. Patients may expose medications to unsuitable temperature and humidity conditions such as kitchens, bathrooms, balconies, and car compartments. The implementation of smart labelling can provide information about post-use storage conditions, thereby benefiting both users and others. Studies conducted in pursuit of this objective have explored the concept of the Internet of Things and the utilization of RFID technology. Furthermore, to maintain the integrity of the medicine, it is recommended to use a hologram to protect the medicine box from tampering.
In conclusion, the development and adoption of smart labels to ensure the quality and safety of pharmaceuticals could potentially redirect unused drugs from waste to patients requiring them. These labels have the potential to deliver global economic and environmental benefits.
Keywords: Drug disposal bag, medicines reuse, pharmacoeconomics, pharmacopollution, recycle, reverse logistic.
What will audience learn from your presentation?
- The audience will understand the potential concerns regarding the reuse of medications and the importance of assuring quality and safety for returned drugs.
- Attendees will learn about existing initiatives, such as SafeNetRx, SIRUM, and GIVMED, that redistribute unexpired medications to disadvantaged individuals, mitigating waste and pollution.
- The audience will gain insights into the potential of smart labels to redirect unused medications from waste to patients in need, leading to economic and environmental advantages.
- The implementation of smart labelling and quality assurance measures can lead to improved patient safety by ensuring the integrity of medications, thus enhancing the quality of patient care.
