Safe Medicine Disposal for ME: 2011 Update
Presentation at the 2011International Symposium on Safe Medicine
Jennifer Crittenden, MSWSafe Medicine Disposal for ME
Project DirectorUMaine Center on Aging
Funded by an allocation from a Fund for Healthy Maine
» This presenter DOES NOT have an interest in selling a technology, program, product, and/or service to CME/CE professionals.
» Statewide drug mailback program in Maine
» Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and an allocation from the Fund for a Healthy Maine
» Administered by Maine DEA
» Postage-paid medicine return envelopes are distributed to selected pharmacies and organizations across the state at no cost
» Staff members then give the envelopes and an instruction packet to interested participants
Program ModelProgram Model
» 36,400 envelopes distributed statewide» Over 6,500lbs of drugs collected» 6,543 surveys collected and analyzed
• 31% response rate» 3,684 telephone calls answered via the
program helpline
Summary of Summary of AccomplishmentsAccomplishments
» 20,818 envelopes collected » 57% return rate» Over 380,000 pills
collected» 35,453 tablets of
Oxycodone and Oxycodone/APAP collected
The street value of Oxycodone collected from 2008-June 2011 is estimated to be $388,408
» Average age of mailback program users: • 63 years of age
» Age range of those for whom the medicine was prescribed:
1 year – 99 years of age
» 63% returning their own medicine
» 20% returning for a deceased family member/friend
A third of program users would have flushed the medicine
Another 37% would have put the medicine in the trash
79% use the program because it’s best for the environment
CollaborationCollaboration Husson University Husson University
School of PharmacySchool of Pharmacy
University of University of New England New England College of College of PharmacyPharmacy
Photo credits: Bangor Daily News
CollaborationCollaboration Local pharmacies Local pharmacies
including Miller Drugincluding Miller Drug
Donated time by Donated time by community community volunteersvolunteers
CollaborationCollaboration
» Mailers available through statewide network of participating pharmacies and partnering sites (approx. 150 sites)
» Program open to individuals of all ages
» Funding in place through spring 2012
» No expansion or new sites
Current OperationsCurrent OperationsFall 2011Fall 2011
Future DirectionsFuture Directions Exploring funding opportunities through Exploring funding opportunities through
private partnerships and research grantsprivate partnerships and research grants
Continue partnerships with pharmacy Continue partnerships with pharmacy schools, community pharmacies, schools, community pharmacies, volunteers and support takeback events volunteers and support takeback events when possiblewhen possible
Piloting mailback with a mental health Piloting mailback with a mental health services provider and a healthcare site services provider and a healthcare site (examining new applications)(examining new applications)
Future DirectionsFuture Directions Continue expanding model through Continue expanding model through
partnerships with PA Sea Grant, University partnerships with PA Sea Grant, University of Wisconsin Extension, and other national of Wisconsin Extension, and other national organizationsorganizations
Daily operations:Jennifer Crittenden, M.S.W.
Project DirectorFiscal and Administrative Officer
UMaine Center on [email protected]
Project administration: Lenard Kaye, D.S.W./Ph.D.
Principal InvestigatorDirector and Professor
UMaine Center on Aging [email protected]
General Project Information:Phone: 1-866-ME-RX-RID (1-866-637-9743)
Email: [email protected]:www.safemeddisposal.com