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PHARMACY WEEK 2008. Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste A Social Responsibility Programme Benzie Joffe Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa. Dangers of medicine and medical waste. Indiscriminate dumping by unscrupulous operators Domestic and community environment: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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PHARMACY WEEK 2008
Safe Disposal of Medicine and Medical Waste
A Social Responsibility Programme
Benzie JoffePharmaceutical Society of South Africa
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
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
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
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Exposure to medicine Accidental poisoning Children have easy access to drugs Incorrect storage Lack of adequate parental/care-
giver supervision
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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
Obtain the Facts
Survey among 800 pharmacists 72 hours, 260 responses Overwhelming response 49% utilise waste disposal
companies
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Waste disposal methods
Current methods of disposal:
Thermal desorption – Thermopower
Legal collection and transportation – Psychem
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What do we do about it? Minimise the waste Reduce the burden Share the responsibility
How do we do it?
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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
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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
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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?
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Thank You!
Knowledge is Powerful Medicine
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