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<P>In most human endeavors, one solution may create other problems or unpredicted, unintended consequences. A good read is Tenner's "When Technology Bites Back" (Princeton Press). Weren't we supposed to be a paperless society about 15 years ago with electronic mail and communication?</P>
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<P>New stories like that coming from Jakarta will only demonstrate that some individuals and organizations look for any opportunities to satisfy their greed and corruption. Not too long ago, the president of a well-known commerical reverse distributor was arrested for stealing controlled substances for personal use.</P>
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<P>Drug take-back and return programs are still a nascent initiative across the nation. There are still inadequate data to support evidence that these programs are even effective or "successful". What would be the best measurements or indicators? Recently, we have been encouraged by more groups collecting usable data from drug collection. Some day, it may be possible by comparing and analysis good data to truly appreciate and understand the magnitude of this problem that has a significant impact on public health, patient safety, healthcare cost, environment, legal system and society (you can add to this list...). at the same, there should be some level of oversight and monitoring. Who should be tasked with this? Who would have the authority to do so?</P>
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<P>Moreover, it is very important to know who is involved in any drug collection in the US, probably around the world too. In 2008 we started an annual survey and publish the National Directory of Drug Take-Back and Disposal Programs. today, we have an official roster of more than 420 such programs with more interest from our international community to be included in this Directory. some have already expressed concerns about our survey and the info we compile; some have refused to be participate in the survey. Please know that we collect survey data only for research purposes to compare programs and to observe trends. For example, of all the drug take-back programs and events, about 80% came into operations in 2009. There is still no consensus on how define or categorize unused and expired meds. about 50% of the programs directly involve law enforcement. Very few programs participate in data collection with the National Registry.</P>
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<P>With funding we want to put the info into public domain for other researchers and policy makers. For now, an updated roster of programs will be available on websites soon after all the surveys are compiled sometime later this spring. The roster is often requested by federal agencies and others for review, but we are not compelled to report or even share our data.</P>
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<P>If you have good ideas and suggestions, let us know.</P>
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<P>Matthew Mireles<BR><BR></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px">-----Original Message----- <BR>From: "Gilliam, Allen" <GILLIAM@ADEQ.STATE.AR.US><BR>Sent: Jan 28, 2011 8:42 AM <BR>To: 'Stevan Gressitt' <GRESSITT@GMAIL.COM>, pharmwaste <PHARMWASTE@LISTS.DEP.STATE.FL.US><BR>Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Well it was bound to occur somewhere... <BR><BR><?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = [default] http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40 NS = "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" /><ZZZhtml xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml"><ZZZhead><ZZZMETA CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii" HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type"><ZZZmeta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)">
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<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Just now seeing the tip of the iceberg….<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> pharmwaste-bounces@lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces@lists.dep.state.fl.us] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Stevan Gressitt<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, January 27, 2011 9:24 PM<BR><B>To:</B> pharmwaste<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Pharmwaste] Well it was bound to occur somewhere...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><A href="http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/depok-police-search-for-leader-of-expired-drug-reselling-ring/419491" target=_blank>http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/depok-police-search-for-leader-of-expired-drug-reselling-ring/419491</A><o:p></o:p></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal>Stevan Gressitt, M.D.<BR>Faculty Associate, University of Maine Center on Aging<BR>Academic Member, Athens Institute for Education and Research<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal>Athens, Greece<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal>Founding Director, International Institute for Pharmaceutical Safety<BR>University of New England, College of Pharmacy<BR>Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences <BR>Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry<BR>University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine<BR>716 Stevens Avenue <BR>Portland, Maine 04103<BR><A href="mailto:gressitt@gmail.com" target=_blank>gressitt@gmail.com</A> <BR>Cell: 207-441-0291 <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal><A href="http://www.benzos.une.edu/" target=_blank>www.benzos.une.edu</A> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
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<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt" class=MsoNormal><A href="http://www.safemeddisposal.com/" target=_blank>www.safemeddisposal.com</A> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
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