[Pharmwaste] Invitation to those on pharmwaste list

[Stevan Gressitt]

The Maine Benzodiazepine Study Group is refocusing and Unused Medicine will
now become a dedicated section of our monthly meetings. An announcement of
the details will be sent early next week, but wanted to pass on the
invitation for anyone on the pharmwaste list to join us in an effort to
broaden the communication paths. Details will be in that announcement.

 

The December 20th meeting of the Maine Benzodiazepine Study Group (MBSG)
will be more structured than in the past and will first of all entail a
focusing of content. The first half, from 5:00-5:45 pm (EST) will be
coordinated by Dr.'s Mugford, Gressitt and Kaye. This portion of the meeting
will address the central epidemiological and clinical issues surrounding the
class of benzodiazepines with policy discussion as relevant. Agenda items
are invited and should be sent to Len Kaye at:
<mailto:len.kaye at umit.maine.edu> len.kaye at umit.maine.edu . 

 The second half of the tele-video conference ( 5:45-6:30 pm) will address
the issues and charge growing out of both our first conference (in October
2005) and Maine legislation. The discussion will focus on prescription drug
misuse through developing and encouraging Unused Medicine Return programs
and support of the Registry for Unused Medicine in the United States. This
portion of the meeting will be coordinated by Dr's Gressitt and Mirelles and
agenda items should be sent to Stevan Gressitt at:
<mailto:gressitt at uninets.net> gressitt at uninets.net .

 Although the original unused medicine return legislation was passed on
grounds it would hopefully address: 1) reducing childhood accidental
poisonings; 2) reduce " pharming" and other household diversion; 3) curtail
excessive accumulation particularly among the elderly; and 4) limit
environmental impact of unused medication, another rationale must
unfortunately now be added. As a result of good intentions both for
Southeast Asia and now Pakistan and other sites of disaster, large
quantities of unusable pharmaceutical donations have accumulated with heavy
burdens both on the recipient countries, agencies, healthcare workers both
in time, storage requirements and cost of destruction. The new 5th reason
therefore is to both curtail improper donations and encourage good donation
practices according to guidelines already clearly established
internationally and to provide education around these practices. 

 Nominations for New Steering Committees Sought

 

As the MBSG plans for 2006,  we are announcing an open invitation for
nominations for membership on three (3) new steering committees: 1) one for
the MBSG itself; 2) one for the Unused Medicine Project; and 3) one for the
Drug Policy Group. There are no geographical restrictions or any other
criteria restricting eligibility for membership on the three committees save
an interest in furthering the goals and objectives of the group. Those who
are interested in lending their time, expertise and/or financial and other
resources should forward their names and contact information to the
appropriate contact person below. The composition of the three committees
will be announced in January 2006. 

2. Unused Medicine Project

Contact : Stevan Gressitt, M.D.(e-mail:  <mailto:gressitt at uninets.net>
gressitt at uninets.net)

Updating the MBSG Membership Directory and Contact Information

 Finally, please note that we will be updating the entire MBSG mailing list
in the next two months. We will appreciate your providing us with any
changes in your title, organizational affiliation, mailing address, and
e-mail address at this time. Please send those to Stevan Gressitt at
<mailto:gressitt at uninets.net> gressitt at uninets.net.

 

Stevan Gressitt, M.D.

 

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