A significant number of medicines from households go unused or expire, and there are few convenient and safe methods for disposing of them in the U.S. Unused medicines stored in the home or improperly disposed of often result in accidental poisonings, drug diversion or abuse, and environmental contamination. Medicines that are flushed down the drain are not removed by the wastewater treatment plants. Over 80% of waterways tested in the U.S. show traces of common medications and have the potential to impact aquatic organisms. The Green Pharmacy Program offers communities a safe and secure method for collecting and properly disposing of unwanted medicines.
According to Peter Koshland, Pharmacy Director at Elephant Pharmacy, “We are simply providing our customers a service in response to the increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of improperly disposed medications. The Green Pharmacy Program shows our patients that we put our environmental beliefs into action.”
The Green Pharmacy Toolkit is the first of its kind to offer instructions for developing, operating, and maintaining a permanent pharmaceutical take-back program. The toolkit includes extensive staff training and outreach materials as well as posters, brochures and access to the most up-to-date information on the ongoing research efforts of the Teleosis Institute’s Green Pharmacy Program. Sponsors of the Green Pharmacy Program include: Abbott Fund, Integrated Waste Control, Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, Elephant Pharm, Kaiser Permanente, and BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
“Teleosis gave Pharmaca the opportunity to put our environmental philosophy into practice. This partnership gave us the tools to educate customers about the responsible medication disposal. By expanding the program, Teleosis can help communities improve the health of our water resources dramatically”
Currently the Green Pharmacy Program is expanding from 15 pilot take-back sites [www.teleosis.org/
“I’m pleased to be able to expand our reach with the Green Pharmacy Toolkit” says Dr. Joel Kreisberg, executive director of the Teleosis Institute. “I believe this will have a significant impact on reducing pharmaceutical pollution while promoting health and safety for people and the environment.”
About The Teleosis Institute:
The Teleosis Institute is an educational non-profit organization devoted to reducing the environmental impact of health care. The Institute promotes sustainable medical practices and works in partnership with the health care community to build a movement for positive social and environmental change. Our programs and educational materials include: The Green Health Care Program, The Green Pharmacy Program, and Leadership Training in Green Health Care. www.teleosis.org
