[Pharmwaste] NATIONAL RX WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM

[Seery, Scott, Env. Health]

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-----Original Message-----
From: Pharmwaste [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Chris Angel
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 9:32 AM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: Re: [Pharmwaste] NATIONAL RX WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM

NEWS RELEASE             Issue Date 9.20.16                Contact Chris 
Angel 989-335-5507

Yellow Jug Old Drugs expanding to National Program




Since its formation in 2008 Great Lakes/US Clean Water (GLCW/USCW) has been a leader and an innovator in collection and disposal of unused/unwanted drugs in a safe and approved manner. Proper disposal of Rx-Waste helps keeps our drinking water, lakes, rivers and streams clean, keeps our kids safe and makes our communities a better place to live.

  Great Lakes /US Clean Water is now announcing plans to expand its program nationally. According to Chris Angel, GLCW/USCW President, this will be the largest expansion in its history.

The Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program is the only Rx-waste Program operated by a Non-Profit in the country. It is the second largest in the country in number of pharmacies participating. GLCW/USCW is the first non-profit organization in the United States to be licensed as a Reverse Distributor by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Reverse Distributor designation is required to accept controlled substances from pharmacies for proper destruction. GLCW/USCW is one of 27 Reverse Distributors in the country.



Angel adds, “We knew that establishing our base in Detroit would help facilitate expansion, however it’s happening at a faster pace than we originally anticipated”

The groups expansion program is being aided by a Private Foundation based in Michigan. The goal of the Initiative is to; 1. Expand the number of Rx-waste collection sites in very state 2. Expand the number of Chain pharmacies participating. (Currently independent pharmacies participate in greater numbers.) 3. Help GLCW/USCW expand its funding base to further ensure program sustainability and shared funding responsibility for Rx waste collection and disposal.

Currently, the program fee that pharmacies pay ($300 per year) is the primary funding source.

Angel states, “While this provides a sustainable model, we have always promoted a funding model where pharmacies do not provide all the funding.  Our goal is 1/3 pharmacy,1/3 consumers  and  1/3 pharmaceutical companies. Fortunately, now with the help of this Foundation initiative we will be able to start working towards that goal while also increasing the number of locations across the country where people will be able to take unused/unwanted drugs for proper disposal”

The Foundation is providing seed funding and technical support to help kick start the new initiative and is encouraging other foundations, organizations, companies and individuals to get on board. The Private Foundation based in Michigan has asked to remain anonymous. Angel adds. 
They approached us and we are so grateful for this opportunity. The members of this Foundation are committed to Clean Water, especially water in the Great Lakes Region. They told us early on that is where they wanted the focus to be, not on who was providing assistance with this initiative”

Angel added “Water is vital to everyone. When I do a presentation on the topic, I start by asking participants to raise their hand if they drink water. All hands go in the air. Everyone wants clean water!! This is an environmental issue that working together as a community of concerned, active individuals we can do something about.”