RxMEDSRxMEDSDr. Sterling W. Hayden, ARCHS

Nicole M. Gattas, Pharm.D., BCPS

RRegional egional eeXXcess cess MEMEdication dication DDisposal isposal SServiceervicePartnershipPartnership

Goal of RxMEDS Partnership: Goal of RxMEDS Partnership: Create an efficient regional Create an efficient regional

model that removes and model that removes and disposes of unwanted disposes of unwanted

medications and informs the medications and informs the citizens of related health and citizens of related health and

environmental issues.environmental issues.

Goal of RxMEDS Partnership: Goal of RxMEDS Partnership: Create an efficient regional Create an efficient regional

model that removes and model that removes and disposes of unwanted disposes of unwanted

medications and informs the medications and informs the citizens of related health and citizens of related health and

environmental issues.environmental issues.

St. Louis: Missouri &

Mississippi Rivers converge

• MO and IL • 5 counties

RxMEDS’ Partners RxMEDS’ Partners Area Resources for Community and

Human Services (ARCHS)

Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS)

Schnuck Markets, Inc. Schnuck Markets, Inc.

Cintas Corporation Cintas Corporation

St. Louis College of Pharmacy St. Louis College of Pharmacy

Missouri AARP Missouri AARP

Mid-East Area Agency on Aging Mid-East Area Agency on Aging

St. Louis OASISSt. Louis OASIS

Senior Services Plus Senior Services Plus

Partnerships Growing Partnerships Growing

WK Health WK Health

Stericycle Stericycle

St. Louis City on Aging St. Louis City on Aging

Metropolitan Sewer District Metropolitan Sewer District

STL County Waste Management Program STL County Waste Management Program

MO Environmental Water Ass’n MO Environmental Water Ass’n

Living Lands and Waters Living Lands and Waters

American Water Company American Water Company

PhRMA PhRMA

Saint Louis University Saint Louis University

Time LineTime Line

Determine feasibility of on-going take-back programs

Determine feasibility of on-going take-back programs

12 months of take-back programs:

provide the service and educate the

public

12 months of take-back programs:

provide the service and educate the

public

6 months of planning set-up: Controls,

policies and procedures, marketing, scheduling

6 months of planning set-up: Controls,

policies and procedures, marketing, scheduling

Phase 1Phase 1 Phase 2Phase 2 Phase 3Phase 3

Goal: Create an efficient regional model that removes and Goal: Create an efficient regional model that removes and disposes of unwanted medications and informs the citizens disposes of unwanted medications and informs the citizens

of related health and environmental issuesof related health and environmental issues..

Goal: Create an efficient regional model that removes and Goal: Create an efficient regional model that removes and disposes of unwanted medications and informs the citizens disposes of unwanted medications and informs the citizens

of related health and environmental issuesof related health and environmental issues.. Objectives: Identify 25 regional

supermarkets that will serve as collection centers.

Establish an environment friendly methodology to dispose of unwanted medications.

Plan and present a major regional workshop for seniors through our senior services partners.

Provide educational programs to 10-20 regional schools on drug safety, etc.

Conduct relevant research on the topic. Such as:

Demographics of patrons What types of medications are being turned in Previous disposal methods

MeasurementMethodology: Surveys at point of

collection Data collected at

point of collection Feedback from

involved parties Attendance at

Regional Senior Workshop(s)

Pre/post senior survey on knowledge gained

# of school programs conducted

# of students in the programs

Pre/post student survey on knowledge gained

Outcomes: Immediate Public awareness of an issue

that affects the region but until now has not been addressed on a major scale.

Intermediate Removal of medications that

harm the environment and pose a health hazard.

Long Term An attitudinal change of the

general public that currently accepted and promoted means of medication disposal are not correct.

A shift in the advertising by major pharmaceutical companies towards an improved disposal method for unused medications.

Hurdle #1: Control Medication Hurdle #1: Control Medication

• EPA and federal DEA approved plan of separate bins, multiple person check off, and officer picks up immediately following the drop off period. – Specifically for this grant

• State BNDD would not agree• Therefore, we will not accept control

medications – Ambien to Methylphenidate to Xanax – Pseudoephedrine

Approvals Approvals √US EPA

√US EPA Human Subjects Review & St. Louis University IRB Board

√ IL EPA

√MO EPA

√Hazardous Materials Information Center (US Dept of Transportation)

√MO Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD)

√US DEA, MO & IL

√MO Board of Pharmacy

Unwanted Medication Disposal Program Set-up

Unwanted Medication Disposal Program Set-up

• 20 locations, 3 hour drop off time once a month

• Accept non-controls unwanted medications, document controls but do not accept

• Inform patrons what to do with non-returnable materials

• Only collect medications during collection times

Personnel Personnel

Greeter Tech Student Extern

Pharmacist

•Show location•Manage flow

•Market •Ready materials• Assist with workflow

•Document •Determine drug •Discuss drug related problems

•Check drug documentation •Feedback

Liability/reliability of information Liability/reliability of information

Policies and Procedures Policies and Procedures

• Greet and explain purpose

• Background

• Facts & Comparisons 4.0 drug database on students laptop for quick tablet identification

• Form may be printed out for patron

• Educational materials offered

• Incentive offered

Public EducationPublic Education

• 20 school age presentations

• Presentations at Area Agencies on Aging

• Marketing the disposal program

RxMEDSCommunity Partners:

Schnuck Markets, Inc., St. Louis College of Pharmacy

Cintas, AARP Missouri Chapter, Senior Services Plus

OASIS & Mid-East Area Agency on Aging

stlarchs.org