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

Over the last several years working as a pharmacy technician and now as a pharmacist, I see first hand the amount of garbage that is produced by pharmacies each day. Most recently, after joining ratiopharm as a pharmacy resident, I have decided to explore the issue further and read ratiopharm’s 2009 report on pharmacy waste. The report incorporated statistical data which definitely reinforced the significance of the waste produced.

On a more corporate level, last year ratiopharm launched “Healthy Earth, Healthy Me”, a program which focuses on developing environmentally friendly initiatives within pharmacies. The launch of this program has also led ratiopharm to become the first generic pharmaceutical company committed to educating and supporting pharmacies in the implementation of green initiatives. Since our focus thus far has been to advocate for ways to reduce the waste produced by pharmacies, I decided to assess ratiopharm to determine if we actually practice what we preach.

We are pleased to report that over the last year, ratiopharm’s employees have really committed themselves and made a number of changes in the workplace. After speaking with a few of my co-workers from various departments, I began to realize that one of the things that we all have in common is that each one of us is very environmentally conscientious and we all have made noteworthy eco-friendly changes both in our workplace and in our homes.

More specifically, ratiopharm has implemented company-wide practices to mitigate the impact of our everyday office operations. The following is a list of practices:

ratiopharm’s Green Initiatives:

• In support of Earth Day, our President and CEO, Jean-Guy Goulet encouraged all employees through e-mail to turn the lights off for one hour that day
• Christmas party invitations and holiday wishes were sent to co-workers in the form of e-cards instead of paper cards
• Office lights automatically shut off by 8:00 pm and motion detectors control the lights in the washrooms and in the lunch room to automatically shut off the lights when these areas are not in use
• Instituted a recycling program for plastics, glass, paper, magazines, etc.
• Replaced plastic water bottles with a tap filter in the company lunch room
• Purchased silverware and reusable dishes for the lunch room in the office – no plastic flatware, cups or disposable plates

ratiopharm’s Employee Green Initiatives:

• Computer monitors are shut off when not in use
• Bring lunch to work and avoid eating out, which usually involves using styrofoam containers or other disposable packaging
• Use mugs for coffee and tea at work instead of purchasing coffee which involves disposable cups
• Reuse and recycle paper
• E-mail or scan documents as opposed to printing and faxing
• Reducing margins on printed documents
• Print documents double sided
• During meetings, print copies of handouts so people can share instead of printing one copy per person

Can any of the initiatives that we have taken be incorporated into your everyday work and personal environment? Please remember that in order to live in a greener world, you must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Raya Palatnic, BSc. Phm, R.Ph
Pharmacy Resident
ratiopharm

As a Canadian pharmacist, it is overwhelming to see the amount of waste produced in pharmacies every day. Some examples include; the amount of paper used by pharmacies to print information leaflets for patients on their prescribed medications and the number of plastic stock bottles thrown in the garbage every day after medication has been repackaged into smaller vials for patients. This waste can be reduced, hence this survey was conducted.

The Professional Services department at ratiopharm is dedicated in developing programs to help pharmacists work more efficiently. We are proud to be the first generic company to launch reusable pharmacy bags (Medi-bags) for patients’ prescriptions. We are also looking at developing an in-pharmacy program for the collection of empty stock bottles and previously-used patient prescription vials for recycling into other uses. Working toward that end result, it will be interesting to see how many patients will consistently bring back prescription vials to reuse them for their next refill for the same medication, or bring back unused or expired medications to the pharmacy for proper disposal. Prior to implementing such services, we need to know what percentage of the public would be compliant with these types of programs. This survey was conceived and executed to ascertain this data.

This survey gathered consumers’ thoughts about environmentally-friendly pharmacy services. Questions asked covered how they dispose of their prescription vials, expired or unused medications and paper bags and what they would be willing to do in the future, if offered particular services. The participants were limited to people living in Canada, and to avoid bias, excluded pharmacy students, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, since their knowledge of pharmacy practices might influence their opinions. The survey was carried out in both English and French. It was completed by 286 participants by July 22nd 2009.

The results were:

• Five in ten Canadians (50%) recycle the paper bag they get the medication in at home
• The majority of Canadians; (86%) would bring back their reusable shopping bag that is made from recycled materials to use for their next visit in the pharmacy, and 80% would purchase it and the average price is $1.80
• Seven in ten Canadians (73%) agree to return empty plastic prescription bottles to the pharmacy for recycling and (72%) agree to reuse their plastic prescription vials for refills of the same medication
• Eight in ten Canadians (77%) would bring back to the pharmacy unused or expired medications for proper disposal
• Almost six in ten Canadians (56%) are willing to pay for drug disposal service if it helped keep toxic medications out of landfills, and the average price is $1.89 per prescription vial or drug bottle.

The results show that the public is aware and trying to become environmentally responsible when it comes to the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept in pharmacy materials. They are willing to pay for shopping bags and reuse them repeatedly. They are willing to recycle vials at the pharmacy since prescription vials may have drug residue which would make it difficult to recycle at home. Most are willing to reuse their empty prescription vials towards their next refill of the same medication. They do not only agree to bring back expired or unused medication to the pharmacy for proper disposal; six in 10 Canadians, in fact, are willing to pay for this service at an average of $1.89 per prescription vial or drug bottle.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who completed this survey and who shared their thoughts. The data collected is extremely important to us. I encourage everyone to always “Think Green” and to be pro-active in preserving our environment. This will not only help us to breathe clean air, but will also protect the planet and keep us healthy.

Environmentally yours,

Mohamed Shawky

Some survey comments that were received are included below:

- I try to be very environmentally conscious but have never considered what happens to my unused prescriptions. I ultimately hate using meds but have had an unfortunate year and required more than I ever thought that I would!! And in consideration of all of the containers and unused portions of medications, I would do whatever I can to ensure that I recycle as wisely as possible. I will start asking my pharmacy.

- I think it’s a great service to be able to drop off unused, expired medications so as to not put anyone in harm’s way if they are unsure as to how to store it or dispose of it. I also believe that recycling the vials/containers could help reduce waste and our demands on the environment. I know I always find uses to reuse containers however I doubt that I am in the majority, perhaps there could be a small deposit taken on the vials that when brought back can be taken off future prescriptions.

- Very interesting survey. All the best in your endeavours to make our medical community greener. Also thank you for the awareness that someone cares.

- Thank you. This survey, at the very least, does a decent job of consciousness rising.

As a community pharmacist for the past ten years my patients’ health and well being were always my number one concern. I was under the impression that people were less interested in being environmentally friendly when it came to choices relating to their health.

In the last few years environmental initiatives have come to the forefront in every aspect of our lives. Why then, would it be any different in the pharmacy? The same patients who care about their asthma conditions and their children’s cough care about the elements that surround our lives, the air we breathe, the water around us, and so on.

Change rarely happens unless there is a monetary reward or public pressure. Why wait until our backs are against the wall, why not be proactive rather than reactive? We have seen the changes start in various sectors such as retail, automotive, and home. As an integral part of the health care team, pharmacies and pharmacists must be at the forefront of this movement in our sector since we are at the forefront of our patients’ health.

As a fellow pharmacist I challenge you to consider the waste we create, reduce our negative impact on the planet, and share your ideas with our colleagues and community.

Here at ratiopharm we are committed to becoming the first Environmentally-Responsible Generic Pharmaceutical Company in Canada and with your help we can make a difference in your community. Talk to your sales representative about how you can make your pharmacy EarthApproved.

C. Boland
Community Pharmacist
Professional Services Associate
Friend of the Environment

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.

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.