Lupin 2024

Walgreens recognized for safe drug disposal efforts

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

SAN DIEGO — Walgreens has received the 2017 Infinity Arrow Award for Service and Take Back from the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) for its Safe Medication Disposal program.

CPSC the Infinity Arrow Award for Service and Take Back recognizes a California business that has initiated an outstanding Take Back program for one or more products as an additional convenience and service to their customers.

Walgreens has installed safe medication disposal kiosks at more than 600 pharmacies in 45 states and the District of Columbia, including 53 in California.

In its first year, the Walgreens Safe Medication Disposal program collected and disposed of 72 tons of expired, unused and unwanted medication, or the equivalent weight of about 40 midsize cars, CPSC said.

“Walgreens is taking an important step to curb the misuse of medications throughout the country. We thank the California Product Stewardship Council for recognizing the importance of providing a convenient take back solution,” Jason Cunningham, regional vice president for Walgreens, said in a statement. “As a pharmacy, we are committed to playing a role in what must be a comprehensive solution to prevent prescription drug and opioid abuse.”

Launched last year, the Walgreens drug disposal program collected prescription (including controlled substances) and over-the-counter medicines at no cost. The kiosks are available at Walgreens pharmacies during regular pharmacy hours.

“When it comes to tackling societal problems like drug addiction and water pollution, industries have a key role to play. Walgreens has stepped forward to help fill that role when it comes to the problems of unused and unwanted medicines,” stated Heidi Sanborn executive director of the California Product Stewardship Council. “Their Safe Medication Disposal program is an excellent example of a company being part of the solution.”

In addition, Walgreens participates in Drug Enforcement Administration-sponsored National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, serving as a collection point in communities for law enforcement to gather unwanted, unused or expired medications for safe disposal.


ECRM_06-01-22


Comments are closed.

PP_1170x120_10-25-21