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 Agingjennifer.crittenden@umit.maine.edu

Project administration: Lenard Kaye, D.S.W./Ph.D.

Principal InvestigatorDirector and Professor

UMaine Center on Aging len.kaye@umit.maine.edu

General Project Information:Phone:  1-866-ME-RX-RID (1-866-637-9743)

Email: info@safemeddisposal.comWebsite:www.safemeddisposal.com