1. Deriving Value from Your Pharma Take-Back Program
Leo Raudys
Vice President, Program Development
ReturnMeds is a subsidiary of Call2Recycle, North America’s first and largest consumer battery stewardship organization, offering a no-cost collection program. 34,000 collections sites including municipalities, businesses, retailers, etc. collected over 100 million pounds of batteries and cellphones since inception

2. Pharmaceutical Take-back… What Does the Landscape Look Like?
Product stewardship is on the rise across multiple industries from batteries to electronics, to unused medicines
Recent local government rulings are requiring prescription drug manufacturers that sell drugs to fund take-back programs
New DEA regulations support this trend
The pharmaceutical industry is facing similar challenges that battery and electronics manufacturers have faced for the past two decades.
Counties like Alameda and King require both brand name and generic companies, to operate and finance product stewardship programs that provide for the collection, transportation and disposal of unwanted drugs, regardless of who made them.
Through a combination of regulatory legislation, voluntary compliance and environmental conservation, battery and electronic industries have been able to develop successful take-back programs that embrace the needs of the government, consumers and the industry.

3. Pharmaceutical Take-back Challenges
Regulatory Challenges
New DEA regulation
State pharmacy boards
Household hazardous waste management
Reverse logistics
Program Challenges
Operational complexity
Uncertain cost structures

4. Pharmaceutical Take Back Benefits
Collection sites set up at local pharmacies and law enforcement sites
Collections projected at 77,400 pounds by the end of 2016 in King County
Adds foot traffic to retail collection sites
User-friendly and safe receptacles for confidential drop-offs
Strengthened community relations for collection sites
Submitted a plan to King County which is in review.
Minimal interruption: Seamless Ops
Collection Receptacles: Compliant and secure transport and disposal
Community Relations: Take-back events, media outreach resulting in extensive coverage, development of educational material and promotion, as appropriate

5. Core Competencies for a Successful Take-back Program
Deep knowledge of regulatory safety and compliance and complex processes
Robust collection network and collaborative approach to achieve greater accessibility
Positively managing stakeholder relationships
Highly cost effective and directed public communications
Overall, it’s a huge collaborative effort.
Transition to ReturnMeds.

6. Future Growth County ordinances Replicability
King County
County ordinances
Replicability
Scale will drive costs down
Alameda County

7. Questions
Leo Raudys