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Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste: A Social Responsibility Initiative

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The Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) recognizes the urgent need for safe disposal of medical waste. Indiscriminate dumping poses serious risks, including accidental poisonings and environmental contamination. During Pharmacy Week (1-7 September), the PSSA launched an educational campaign to inform pharmacists and the public about the importance of proper medicine disposal methods. Statistics reveal a significant number of drug-related queries in young children, highlighting the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to minimize waste and promote responsible use of medications.

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Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste: A Social Responsibility Initiative

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  1. PHARMACY WEEK 2008 Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste ASocial Responsibility Programme Benzie Joffe Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa

  2. Dangers of medicine and medical waste • Indiscriminate dumping by unscrupulous operators • Domestic and community environment: • Accidental poisoning • Unintentional contamination due to ignorance, lack of knowledge Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  3. Reality check • Exposé in December 2007 in Sunday Times • “South Africa is in the grip of a massive medical waste crisis as warehouses and other sites are illegally crammed with tons of rotting body parts and other highly hazardous hospital waste.” Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  4. Statistics: Accidental poisoning • Drug-related queries in children under 5 years during 2007: • 30% of total calls were related to accidental poisoning (217 calls out of 733) • 18% of queries: - paracetamol • 14,5% of queries: - anxiolytics, hypnotics, antidepressants • 12% of queries: - antihistamines and cough mixtures • 7% of queries: - cardiovascular drugs eg beta blockers • Source: Tygerberg Poison Information Centre Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  5. Exposure to medicine • Accidental poisoning • Children have easy access to drugs • Incorrect storage • Lack of adequate parental/care-giver supervision Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  6. PSSA takes action • Pharmacy Week 1-7 September • Pharmacy Week Committee • Theme: Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste • Call on pharmacists to implement procedures for safe disposal of medicine • Educational drive to inform the public • “Knowledge is Powerful Medicine” Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  7. Obtain the Facts • Survey among 800 pharmacists • 72 hours, 260 responses • Overwhelming response • 49% utilise waste disposal companies Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  8. Waste disposal methods • Current methods of disposal: • Thermal desorption – Thermopower • Legal collection and transportation – Psychem Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  9. What do we do about it? • Minimise the waste • Reduce the burden • Share the responsibility How do we do it? Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  10. Educate and Inform • Educate, inform and assist pharmacists about legal, ethical medical waste disposal • Educate consumers about responsible use • Create public awareness through media campaign Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  11. Response by PSSA • PSSA is being pro-active • Legislative Framework as guide • Developed SOP • 15 point check list • Media campaign • Inform and involve members and all other role-players Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  12. Get involved • Social responsibility: it is the right thing to do. • Educate and inform consumers • Participate in Pharmacy Week • The PSSA will support you by providing • Posters • Decals • Waste Disposal Bags • Buttons • Finance • Educational Information • Sustainability? Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

  13. Thank You! Knowledge is Powerful Medicine

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