Sharps Compliance, MedReturn announce retail solution to collecting expired medicines per DEA guidelines
HOUSTON — Sharps Compliance Corp. and MedReturn on Monday announced that they 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.
The MedSafe system is designed to meet or exceed the requirements of the new regulations issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration implementing the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which becomes effective Oct. 9. 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, coupled with Sharps Compliance’s return logistics system and onsite disposal via incineration, the DEA and Environmental Protection Agency 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.
“The MedSafe system [facilitates] the collection of both non-controlled and controlled substances in a standard, safe and cost-effective manner," said David Tusa, president and CEO Sharps Compliance. "[W]e 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," he said. “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.
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.
“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," Tusa said. "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.”