WAG, Novo Nordisk, Sharps Compliance team up to offer free needle disposal system

HOUSTON — Walgreens and Novo Nordisk are working with Sharps Compliance to offer Sharps' Complete Needle Collection & Disposal System for customers who use injectable drugs.

Sharps said Monday that the program with the pharmacy retail company and drug maker would offer the system for free in a special promotional program that lasts from Oct. 23 until Nov. 19 and coincides with National Diabetes Month, with sponsorship from Novo Nordisk. The disposal system allows users of such injectables as insulin to safely dispose of used needles and ship them to Sharps, which then destroys them.

"Our unique three-way cooperative arrangement with Walgreens and Novo Nordisk is the first of its kind to involve a retail pharmacy and pharmaceutical manufacturer to address the proper handling and disposal of needles for the approximately 13.5 million people that require injectable medications for their health and well-being," Sharps president and CEO David Tusa said.

Under the program, which is receiving sponsorship from Novo Nordisk, customers at Walgreens can purchase the system at any Walgreens store and then receive a rebate form at the register for the $4.99 cost of the system.

"We believe that working together, we have an excellent opportunity to offer our customers a safe, environmentally friendly means of disposing of their needles, syringes or other injectable devices and are proud to offer the easy-to-use system for their safety and convenience," Walgreens group VP pharmacy operations Suzanne Hansen said.

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