ratiopharm is proud to be celebrating the one year anniversary of our Healthy Earth, Healthy Me program on the 20th anniversary of Earth Day Canada. We would like to thank everyone who participated in our program and those who have taken on other environmentally friendly initiatives. Even the smallest initiative is a good start in keeping our earth healthy.

In response to our many customers, who felt that pharmacy was missing environmental options, we introduced Healthy Earth, Healthy Me. This unique program offered recyclable and reusable pharmacy bags to help reduce the amount of waste generated by Canadian pharmacies. Three versions of pharmacy bags were introduced, a MediBag, a larger tote bag, and a smaller paper bag. The unique MediBag is lunch-sized, waterproof, and is divided into two sections which can transport and hold prescriptions safely. The large and durable tote bag is a stylish alternative to carrying items in environmentally unfriendly plastic bags. Another option for carrying prescriptions is our small prescription paper bag made from post-consumer recycled materials. To raise further public awareness, posters were also provided to pharmacies to encourage people to reuse their vials in order to reduce the amount of plastic waste produced and to return unused and expired drugs back to the pharmacy for safe disposal.

So how did we do? Over 300, 000 Healthy Earth, Healthy Me bags were given out this past year…which means over 300,000 plastic bags were saved from ending up in Canadian Landfills.

We encourage you to join in the various events celebrating 20 years of Earth Day in Canada.

Visit http://www.earthday.ca/pub/index.php for a list of events in your area.

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

Please stay tuned for exciting new Healthy Earth initiatives in the future!

- ratiopharm EARTHAPPROVED Marketing Team

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.