WOONSOCKET, R.I., Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health
(NYSE: CVS) is releasing new data illustrating the impact of the
company's Medication Disposal for Safer Communities program ahead
of the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October
22. Since 2014, the company's disposal program has donated a
total of 626 drug disposal units to police departments in 42
states, collecting more than 47 metric tons of unwanted
medication. In conjunction with Take Back Day, more than 135
CVS Pharmacy locations are also hosting drug take back events
managed by local law enforcement agencies across the country,
bringing the total number of take back events hosted by CVS
Pharmacy locations to more than 800 since 2013. And the
company is launching a new online tool as part of the drug abuse
prevention resources on CVS.com that allows visitors to search by
zip code to find a safe medication disposal location near them that
is accessible year-round.
"Safe drug disposal is an important priority for CVS Health
because of the critical role it plays in helping to combat the
opioid abuse epidemic that is challenging so many communities
around the country," said Tom Davis,
RPh, Vice President of Pharmacy Professional Practices at CVS
Pharmacy. "The more than 600 drug disposal units we have
donated to law enforcement agencies through the Safer Communities
program have collected more than 47 metric tons – or more than
100,000 pounds – of unwanted medication. We are also pleased
to host law enforcement officials at more than 135 CVS Pharmacy
locations for Take Back Day events this weekend on Saturday, October 22, and at the same time,
launch a new tool that enables people to find local disposal
options year-round."
Launched in 2014, the CVS Health Medication Disposal for Safer
Communities program is an innovative community partnership that
allows local police departments to apply to receive a drug
collection unit to help their communities safely dispose of
unwanted medications, including controlled substances.
Through the program, CVS Health works with the Partnership for
Drug-Free Kids to provide the drug collection units that help rid
communities of unwanted medications that may otherwise be diverted,
abused or contaminate our water supply.
"As a proud partner of the Medication Disposal for Safer
Communities program, we have seen CVS Health's long track record of
making safe drug disposal a priority," said Marcia Lee Taylor, President and CEO,
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. "The tens of thousands of
pounds of unwanted medication collected as part of the Safer
Communities program truly has a critical impact on preventing drug
diversion and abuse for families across the country."
In addition to its focus on proper medication disposal through
the Safer Communities program, CVS Health is also working to
address and prevent prescription drug abuse in other ways.
The company has increased access to the opioid-overdose reversal
medication naloxone in 36 states and operates a number of
prevention education efforts. Through the company's
Pharmacists Teach program, CVS pharmacists have volunteered to
speak to more than 100,000 students about the dangers of
prescription drug abuse. The company also provides drug abuse
prevention tips for patients on CVS.com and recently announced a
partnership with DoSomething.org to reach teenagers with a
prevention message online and via text
message.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and aims to provide a safe,
convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription
drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential
for abuse of medications.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their
path to better health. Through its more than 9,600 retail
pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading
pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million plan members, a
dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one
million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy
services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to
manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique
integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better
health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more
information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at
https://www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contact:
Erin Shields Britt
Corporate Communications
(401) 770-9237
Erin.Britt@CVSHealth.com
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140905/143585
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-announces-47-metric-tons-of-unwanted-medication-collected-through-safe-drug-disposal-program-300348250.html
SOURCE CVS Health