Document Detail


Recycling expensive medication: why not?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15266231     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
New (and proposed) advances in packaging, preserving, labeling, and verifying product integrity of individual tablets and capsules may allow for the recycling of certain expensive medicines. Previously sold, but unused, medication, if brought back to special pharmacies for resale or donation, may provide a low-cost source of patent-protected medicines. Benefits of such a program go beyond simply providing affordable medication to the poor. This article suggests that medicine recycling may be a possibility (especially if manufacturers are mandated to blister-package and bar-code individual tablets and capsules). This early discussion of medication recycling identifies relevant issues, such as: need, rationale, existing programs, available supplies, expiration dates, new technology for ensuring safety and potency, environmental impact, public health benefits, program focus, program structure, and liability.
Authors:
Jay M Pomerantz
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review     Date:  2004-04-23
Journal Detail:
Title:  MedGenMed : Medscape general medicine     Volume:  6     ISSN:  1531-0132     ISO Abbreviation:  MedGenMed     Publication Date:  2004  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2004-07-21     Completed Date:  2007-09-27     Revised Date:  2010-09-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100894134     Medline TA:  MedGenMed     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  4     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. jayp@map.com
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Costs and Cost Analysis
Drug Industry
Pharmaceutical Preparations / economics,  supply & distribution*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Pharmaceutical Preparations
Comments/Corrections

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Physiotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis.
Next Document:  Nail-patella syndrome in Saudi Arabia with new features and surgical procedures: the first described...