From Mrs P. E. Bradshaw, MRPharmS
SIR,—Now the transfer of most medicines to patient packs is completed a possible scheme to recycle returned unused suitable medicines for charitable purposes has become more feasible.
Most us of see daily the vast waste of returned drugs destined to be destroyed, while in parts of the developing world basic medicines such as antibiotics and painkillers may not be available to the majority, even in some hospitals, because of poverty. The recent Healthcheck programme on BBC1 claimed that, in the United Kingdom, 11 per cent of patients collecting their medicines do not take any of their course and a further 34 per cent do not finish their course (PJ, February 12, p238).
In The Pharmaceutical Journal (February 5, p223), Donald Macarthur described a successful national scheme in France run by Cyclamed which recalls unused medicines. This is supported by the professional body for pharmacy in France, drug manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacists, and the French government. Among other benefits in 1998 the scheme resulted in 963 tonnes of appropriate medicines being recycled by 10 charities. Obviously any proposed scheme in the UK would adhere to World Health Organisation guidelines and require the backing of professional pharmacy associations and pharmacists.
As a returned Voluntary Service Overseas pharmacist volunteer with the added experience of visiting hospitals in four African countries and in India I would welcome the chance to help in the setting up of a pilot scheme for the recycling of returned medicines in the UK and would be pleased to hear from others who would be interested in such a scheme.
Pamela Bradshaw
The Spinney, Castle Donnington, Derby DE7 2PZ e mail:pamelabradshaw@hotmail.com