Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples Martin Donohoe, MD, FACP

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples • Samples – utility – large, colorful single use packages • Paper packaging constitutes up to 50% of the 180 million tons of garbage Americans produce each year, and represents the fastest growing segment of garbage production

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples • Only 25 -30% of paper is recycled; most ends up in landfills • Available landfills space decreasing – 1978 - 14, 000 available landfills – 1990 - 5, 000 – result - garbage exportation by states

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples • Purpose: determine the relative amounts of packaging and pills in pharmaceutical samples in a university general medicine clinic (three 8 x 3 x 3 ft. cabinets) • Methods: weight and volume measured for all components of one of each sample type

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples • Results: – 92 packages contained 665 pills (7. 2 6. 2 pills/package, mean SD) – paper packaging constitutes 65% of overall package weight – pill volume/paper product box volume = 0. 0132

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples • Results (cont. ):

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples • Conclusions: – Pharmaceutical samples contain a very high ration of packaging to pills – Large packages may contribute to increased brand recognition and prescribing, but also take up excessive space in overcrowded clinics and constitute a wasteful use of paper products derived from trees, a precious natural resource

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples • The future – The Paperboard Packaging Council predicts that U. S. medicinal carton use will grow 5%/yr. Over the next four years. – Increased development of cartons with curves, metallic coatings, holograms, and barrier coatings (all less recyclable)

Excessive Paper Packaging in Pharmaceutical Samples • Solution – awareness of problem/context – pressure on industry (worked successfully with compact disc packaging)

Contact Information Public Health and Social Justice Website http: //www. phsj. org martindonohoe@phsj. org