[Pharmwaste] Drug sample waste

[Barry Fernandez]

We recently had this conversation in a Technical Advisory Group meeting
here in Florida.  While the reps themselves may not be allowed to take
the waste, they can certainly prepare the package for return to their
employer and make the appropriate shipping arrangements (UPS/DHL/USPS).

Have you tried contacting the manufacturers directly?

Good Luck!

Barry

Clean Fuels of Florida, Inc.
D. Barry Fernandez, President
2635 NE 4th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
Tel:  954-791-9588
Fax: 954-791-9366
Cell:  305-216-4941
Toll Free: 800-725-8711
barry at clean-fuels.net
www.clean-fuels.net





-----Original Message-----
From: Megan Fakih [mailto:Megan.Fakih at SPARROW.ORG]
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 9:54 AM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Drug sample waste

I work for a large hospital that has many family practice sites that
accept drug samples.  We have tried several tactics to cut down on
sample waste, like encouraging the offices to accept only the amount
they can use, rotating stock, etc. but we still have waste.
I have educated the offices on the FDA's Prescription Drug Marketing Act
that allows the drug reps to facilitate the shipment of the samples back
to the drug company for destruction.  Now as they talk to the reps about
this, the reps are still saying it is against the law for them to
deal with the samples.    I am wondering if anyone has successfully
gotten these drug companies to destroy their own samples.  I realize I
am probably forging new ground here but from a pharmacist perspective, I
would like to see samples go away and vouchers that can be redeemed at
the pharmacy take their place.  By forcing the drug companies to destroy
these unused samples I feel we might be able to persuade the drug
companies to turn to vouchers. 

Does anyone have any advice for me? 






Megan Fakih, RPh, MBA
St Lawrence Campus
Pharmacy Supervisor
1210 W Saginaw St
Lansing, Mi 48915
Phone: (517) 364-6341




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