- A unique and innovative solution for safe and cost-effective collection and proper disposal of unwanted and expired medications, including controlled substances
- Compliant with new DEA rules implementing the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 - Effective October 9, 2014
HOUSTON, Sept. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sharps Compliance Corp. (Nasdaq:SMED) and MedReturn, LLC have joined forces to launch MedSafe™, a patent pending solution for the safe collection, transportation and proper disposal of unwanted and expired prescription medications including controlled substances.
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MedSafe™
The MedSafe system is designed to meet or exceed the requirements of the new regulations issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA") implementing the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (the "Act") which becomes effective October 9, 2014. The MedSafe system is a safe, cost-effective and operationally efficient system designed for long-term care facilities, pharmacies, local law enforcement, narcotic treatment programs, hospitals and clinics with onsite pharmacies.
The MedSafe solution consists of a collection receptacle manufactured by MedReturn, LLC, coupled with Sharps Compliance's proven return logistics system and onsite disposal via incineration, the DEA and Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") recommended method for disposal of medications. MedReturn is the leading manufacturer of drug collection units utilized by licensed law enforcement and is currently being used in 49 states.
David P. Tusa, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sharps Compliance stated, "Healthcare facilities, including long-term care and others, across the country have struggled for years to find a safe, secure and cost-effective solution to address the proper disposal of patient dispensed unused and expired medications including control substances. The MedSafe system addresses these issues by facilitating the collection of both non-controlled and controlled substances in a standard, safe and cost-effective manner. As with all of our solutions, we focus on saving our customers money. In this case, we believe the MedSafe solutions will save our healthcare customers money and create much needed operational efficiencies when compared to traditional methods of disposing of dispensed controlled substances."
Mr. Tusa added, "The MedSafe system also facilitates collection of unused and unwanted consumer medications including controlled substances at participating retail pharmacies. This will provide consumers with a convenient method of unused medication disposal while ridding homes and medicine cabinets of potentially harmful drugs. We believe the retail pharmacies will see the MedSafe system as a value added service that could be offered to their customers and patients while driving foot traffic."
Each MedSafe unit is tested under the standards established by Underwriters Laboratories, has a tamper-proof, one-way drop and comes with a removable serialized and trackable inner liner for safe transportation and disposal. Access to the inner liner is protected by a double-locked door until removal by authorized personnel. Inner liners returned to the Sharps Compliance disposal facility will be processed and treated via incineration, leaving the medication non-retrievable as required by the Act. The 18-gallon MedSafe unit is designed for lower volume locations such as a long term care facility. The 38-gallon MedSafe unit is designed for collection sites with larger volumes such as a retail pharmacy.
TakeAway Environmental Return System™ Envelope
In addition to a collection receptacle, the Act authorizes the use of a mailback solution for the proper disposal, transportation and treatment of unused medications including controlled substances. The mailback would be designed for use in the long-term care (on behalf of their patient), hospice and consumer markets.
Mr. Tusa added, "We are also working with the United States Postal Service to convert our existing TakeAway Environmental Return System solution such that it meets the requirements of the new DEA rules thereby allowing the collection, transportation and destruction of unused medications including controlled substances. We have sold well over one million of our current TakeAway Environmental Return System solutions over the past five years and believe we are well positioned to be a leader in the sale of the new mailback solutions designed to meet the new DEA rules."
Public Health and Safety Concern
Improperly disposed unused medications create a public health and safety concern, because they are highly susceptible to accidental ingestion, theft, misuse, and abuse. Almost twice as many Americans (6.8 million) abuse pharmaceutical controlled substances as the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and inhalants combined, according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Nearly 110 Americans die every day from drug-related overdoses, and about half of those overdoses are related to opioids, a class of drug that includes prescription painkillers. More than two-thirds (70%) of people who misuse prescription painkillers for the first time report obtaining the drugs from friends or relatives, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Prior to the passage of the Act, the Controlled Substances Act made no legal provisions for patients to rid themselves of unwanted pharmaceutical controlled substances except to give them to law enforcement. Pharmacies, doctors' offices, hospitals and hospice were banned from accepting controlled substances for disposal.
TO INQUIRE OR ORDER MEDSAFE PLEASE CALL US AT 1-800-772-5657
About Sharps Compliance Corp.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Sharps Compliance (www.sharpsinc.com) is a leading full-service national provider of comprehensive medical waste management services including medical, pharmaceutical and hazardous. Its key markets include pharmaceutical manufacturers, home healthcare providers, assisted living / long term care, retail pharmacies and clinics and the professional market which is comprised of physicians, dentists and veterinary practices. The Company's flagship product, the Sharps Recovery System™, is a comprehensive solution for the containment, transportation, treatment and tracking of medical waste.
More information on the Company and its products can be found on its website at: www.sharpsinc.com
About MedReturn
Headquartered in Grafton, Wisconsin, MedReturn, LLC (www.medreturn.com) is a company with a proven track record in providing a safe and easy to use community drug collection unit. To date 1,500 MedReturn Drug Collection Units have been placed in law enforcement locations nationwide.
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