Diplomat Pharmacy Supports 'Yellow Jug Old Drugs'
Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, the nation's largest privately owned specialty pharmacy, is participating in the community-based program, Yellow Jug Old Drugs, coordinated by the non-profit Great Lakes Clean Water Organization.
Diplomat Pharmacy, located on Beecher Road in Flint, is taking part in the effort to raise awareness about the harmful effects that unwanted and unused drugs have on the environment.
"At Diplomat, we have a long standing commitment to serve our community and provide needed services to the residents of Genesee County," said Diplomat pharmacist and certified clilnical nutritionist Susan Pennell. "By getting on board with Yellow Jug Old Drugs, we're bringing awareness to the Flint community about the harmful effects drugs have on our environment when not properly disposed. It's unfortunate that lack of knowledge on this matter has been the main cause of the damage that's been done to our water supply."
Added Chris Angel, board president of the Great Lakes Clean Water Organization: "The response to the Yellow Jug Old Drugs program has been very positive. Pharmacists are reporting that customers are very pleased that they are now offering this service. Everybody agrees it just makes good sense to keep drugs out of our water."
The Yellow Jug Old Drugs program began in Northeast Lower Michigan to promote the collection and disposal of unused, unwanted or expired drugs. The program was started due to the increasing amounts of pharmaceutical compounds found in surface and ground water, resulting in water contamination and a negative impact on the aquatic ecosystem including birds, fish and other wildlife.
The Yellow Jug Old Drugs program provides a positive solution to this environmental problem by enforcing prevention. Yellow Jugs are now available at 74 pharmacies in northeast Lower Michigan, northwest Lower Michigan, the Bay City area, the Thumb area and southeast Michigan with more pharmacies adding each month. Individuals can bring unused, unwanted or expired drugs to participating pharmacies, such as Diplomat. There is no cost for the service. Once drugs are dropped off, they are then taken to a Covanta Energy-from-Waste plant for safe and proper disposal.
To learn more about Yellow Jug Old Drugs program, participating pharmacies or how to properly dispose of drugs, go to http://greatlakescleanwater.org or call (989) 736-8179.
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