ratiopharm is very proud to be involved in this important initiative for pharmacists, their patients and our environment. We believe that everyone can play a part in keeping our planet healthy and we hope you take this opportunity to join us.

Jean-Guy Goulet
President & CEO, ratiopharm

ratiopharm encourages and supports a strong sense of responsibility to our environment. We are committed to educating, exploring, sourcing and providing our customers and their patients with tools and services that support the well-being of the Earth. We believe your participation makes us all part of its preservation. Therefore, we further commit to recognizing any and all pharmacy partners who participate in environmentally-balanced practices.


Your Practice. Our Environment.

Welcome to Earth Approved!

When I first moved to Toronto from Vancouver years ago, I went for months with coughing fits. The doctor at the clinic told me I had some type of “allergic reaction” to the change in air I was breathing and that eventually I would get acclimatized to it! Acclimatized to bad air? Really, is that my only option? So, he prescribed me an inhaler.

A few years later, I was cleaning out my medicine cabinet and came across that inhaler, out of date I decided to toss it in the garbage.

Looking back now, I realize the connection that I missed that day.

What we throw out ends up in our landfills – and when not properly maintained can leach into the water we drink and the air we breathe. That’s why doing a project like Earth Approved is important me. Here we have an opportunity to make change.

Earth Approved, launched by ratiopharm, is dedicated to helping pharmacies, pharmacists and their patients create a healthier planet. By educating Canadians at all levels we can reduce the impact that pharmacy has on the environment. Our goal is to reduce the impact pharmacy has on the environment, starting with a reusable bag campaign to reduce landfill.

ratiopharm is committed to creating awareness by gathering like minded groups and individuals to EarthApproved.org where they can discuss, post their ideas and solutions as to what can be done to help better the health of the planet. Our belief is that a healthier planet means a healthier you…so the next time I move I won’t have to “acclimatize”.

I spoke a few months ago supporting changing the way we build houses and I said that choosing to build a sustainable home is a matter of choice. At each step in the process, you make a decision. So that’s how I’m approaching this project. A step in the right direction for now is getting the word out there…actually it’s more than that: this is a call to action. There will be bigger steps soon. Stay tuned to see what they are.

I encourage you to contribute to our forum, ask questions, get involved in your community. With your help we can continue to add tips, suggestions, highlight discussions, review changes and movements in the right direction. Remember, Green is about participation, not perfection.

E.

Emmanuel Belliveau is a designer who focuses on eco-friendly interior and exterior building design. His television credits include hosting World’s Greenest Homes and My Parents’ House on HGTV.

Did you know that an average pharmacy filling 200 prescriptions a day will produce over 1.3 tonnes of garbage in one year? There are enough patient vials dispensed in that pharmacy that when stacked end to end, they would reach the top of CN Tower, eight times! With information like that, and knowing that pharmacy is not regulated, nationally or provincially, in terms of their recycling and environmental impact on the Earth, we knew we needed to do our part.

That is why ratiopharm is proud to be the first generic pharmaceutical manufacturer to launch a national, environmentally responsible program specifically for pharmacists and their patients to reduce their impact on the Earth.  This program is called “Healthy Earth. Healthy Me.” We believe that patients make strides every day to keep healthy by talking to their pharmacist, adhering to their prescriptions, eating in moderation, etc., but more than ever we see that if we keep the Earth healthy as well, our collective efforts will contribute to our overall health.

The first phase of this program is a simple and small step: incorporating reusable, recycled bags during your pharmacy experience. We have produced a post-consumer recycled paper bag; a unique MediBag, which is a waterproof, lunch-size bag that can transport and hold prescriptions safely; and finally, a recycled tote bag that is large and durable enough for you to use every day. There are also posters and handouts to share your “Healthy Earth. Healthy Me.” experience with others.

Even more exciting are our plans for the future. Our company is actively researching and sourcing other innovative ways to make a positive impact on the environment such as using alternatives to plastic, national recycling programs for pharmacy, and reducing bottle and patient vial usage by packaging products in ready-to-dispense quantities. These and many more innovative and unique ideas are part of the solution for a more responsible health partner.

Thank you for visiting www.earthapproved.org , a brand new website dedicated to offering a forum for pharmacists and their patients as well as sharing specific tips that represent positive change. You have made the important first step…remember: green is about participation, not perfection. Thank you for doing your part.