Medical injection pen recycling trial launches

In a bid to reduce the amount of medical waste being dumped into landfill, patients will soon be able to drop off their medical injection pens for recycling.
 
As part of a new Australian trial, the Novo Nordisk’s new ReMed program will allow patients using the manufacturer’s medicines delivered via disposable, pre-filled injection pens to return their used pens at selected pharmacies in Sydney.
 
Patients at Royal North Shore Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney will also be able to return used pens at their respective hospital sites.
 
The Australian-first trial aims to test the collection process, transport and handling, and whether the recycling pathways are feasible.
 
Climate and Health Alliance Chief Executive Michelle Isles said currently, millions of used injection pens currently end up in household rubbish and then landfill.
 
‘We are proud to support this Australia-first initiative on product stewardship for an essential medical device as it demonstrates the collaboration and leadership needed to tackle the plastics and waste crisis we face in Australian health systems,’ she said.
 
The ReMed program is already active in several countries across the world, including Denmark, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Japan and the United Kingdom.
 
Novo Nordisk’s Elin Jäger said that with the program already successful in many other countries, expanding to Australia is an ‘important step in reducing the impact of medical waste’.
 
‘We look forward to working with local partners to strengthen a more circular and sustainable healthcare system,’ she said.
 
The trial is set to launch later this year following a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Novo Nordisk, Pharmacycle, TerryWhite Chemmart, Northern Sydney Local Health District and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
 
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