CVS Health expands Arizona drug disposal efforts
CVS Health is stepping up its safe medication disposal efforts in the Grand Canyon State. The company has unveiled 13 disposal units in CVS Pharmacy stores across Arizona, which it said add to the units it has donated to local law enforcement agencies. All told, the company has donated almost 900 units to police departments, bringing in 158 metric tons of discarded medication, and it’s working to bring 750 units to its stores.
"Every day, our pharmacy teams see firsthand the impact of the alarming and rapidly growing epidemic of opioid addiction and misuse," said Thomas Moriarty, CVS Health’s chief policy and external affairs office. “Expanding our safe medication disposal efforts here in Arizona is an extension of the many initiatives in place across our company to fight the opioid abuse epidemic and fulfill our purpose of helping people on their path to better health.”
Arizona attorney general Mark Brnovich said, “Reducing access to prescription drugs is a key component in preventing opioid abuse. I commend companies like CVS for stepping up and providing these public disposal boxes at a time when our community needs it.”
The company also is awarding grants to two nonprofits in Arizona that are focused on fighting and preventing opioid abuse. One recipient is ICAN, a youth service organization in Chandler that will receive a $25,000 grant to support its substance abuse prevention program. Tucson-based nonprofit El Rio Health will receive an $85,000 grant to prove prescriber support and education around how to effectively manage patients’ chronic pain.
"Every day, our pharmacy teams see firsthand the impact of the alarming and rapidly growing epidemic of opioid addiction and misuse," said Thomas Moriarty, CVS Health’s chief policy and external affairs office. “Expanding our safe medication disposal efforts here in Arizona is an extension of the many initiatives in place across our company to fight the opioid abuse epidemic and fulfill our purpose of helping people on their path to better health.”
Arizona attorney general Mark Brnovich said, “Reducing access to prescription drugs is a key component in preventing opioid abuse. I commend companies like CVS for stepping up and providing these public disposal boxes at a time when our community needs it.”
The company also is awarding grants to two nonprofits in Arizona that are focused on fighting and preventing opioid abuse. One recipient is ICAN, a youth service organization in Chandler that will receive a $25,000 grant to support its substance abuse prevention program. Tucson-based nonprofit El Rio Health will receive an $85,000 grant to prove prescriber support and education around how to effectively manage patients’ chronic pain.