Saturday, April 11, 2009

C.B. doctor wants way to recycle used drugs

From the Halifax Chronicle Herald:
Ron MacCormick has attracted national attention by pitching the idea of recycling prescription drugs, which isn’t done in Canada.

The 56-year-old Cape Breton oncologist got the idea from the families of cancer patients who wanted their leftover or unused medication put to good use.

Dr. MacCormick says that a lot of expensive drugs, especially those used to treat illnesses such as cancer, are being wasted. In Canada, about $200 billion is spent on oral medication every year. If one per cent of that amount was recycled it would save $2 billion, he says. Flushing leftover drugs down the toilet has also resulted in traces of the medication turning up in drinking water throughout North America. ...more

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