#GiveBack Campaign Calls for Proper & Safe Medical Waste Disposal

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

On 15 June 2023, the second phase of the nationwide #GiveBack campaign was launched to promote responsible disposal of medical waste.

#GiveBack is a nationwide Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) effort of GSK Malaysia in collaboration with pharmacy chains Alpro Pharmacy, AM PM Pharmacy, BIG Pharmacy, CARiNG Pharmacy Group, FirstCare Pharmacy, Health Lane Family Pharmacy, Mega Kulim Pharmacy, Park@city Pharmacy & Medical Supplies, Straits Pharmacy, and Sunway Multicare Pharmacy.

It is supported by the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS).

FEATURED EXPERT
DR JONATHAN PAN
Vice President and General Manager
GSK Malaysia & Brunei

Dr Jonathan Pan, the Vice President and General Manager of GSK Malaysia & Brunei, says. “Our #GiveBack campaign supports these goals by offering the Malaysian public a convenient way to dispose of their used inhalers and leftover medicine blister packs responsibly, lessening their impact to our environment.”

In line with this goal, the campaign expanded its partnership with additional pharmacy partners and headthcare groups this year.

WHY #GIVEBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US
  • All around the world, healthcare systems contribute around 5.9 million tonnes of solid waste to landfills and over 4% of carbon emissions.
  • One significant issue is the disposal of pressurized asthma inhalers, as people often discard them before they are completely empty. As a result, the greenhouse gases in the propellants of these discarded inhalers are released into the environment, contributing to global warming.
  • Unfinished pills left in discarded blister packaging—the “packaging” of pills—can lead to leaching of chemicals into the ground or waterways, contaminating plants and animals and, eventually, people that consume these plants and animals.
FEATURED EXPERT
PROFESSOR AMRAHI BUANG
President
Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS)

Professor Amrahi Buang, President of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) further adds, “GSK’s #GiveBack campaign is aligned with the Ministry of Health Malaysia’s ‘Returning Medicines’ campaign, and we urge all Malaysians to support this effort by bringing their used or unfinished asthma inhalers and blister packs to any of the collection points for proper disposal.”

MAKING AN ART OUT OF DISCARDED MEDICAL WASTE

During the launch, students from The Design School at Taylor’s University unveiled a sculpted art made of discarded blister packs and asthma inhalers.

This art serves to highlight the importance of proper medical waste disposal and its impact on the environment, while also providing an opportunity for the next generation to get involved in environmental advocacy.

The installation will be displayed during the GSK #GiveBack Roving Truck roadshow at high-traffic venues across the Klang Valley, stoking greater awareness and increased interest in sustainability.

HOW YOU CAN #GIVEBACK TO MOTHER EARTH

Any time of the year
Drop off your used blister packs and asthma inhalers (make sure that they are empty) at any of the following pharmacy outlets:

  • Alpro Pharmacy
  • AM PM Pharmacy
  • BIG Pharmacy
  • CARiNG Pharmacy Group
  • FirstCare Pharmacy
  • Health Lane Family Pharmacy
  • Mega Kulim Pharmacy
  • Park@city Pharmacy & Medical Supplies
  • Straits Pharmacy
  • Sunway Multicare Pharmacy

17 to 26 June 2023
Drop them off at the #GiveBack Roving Truck roadshow.

For more information about the campaign, visit your nearby pharmacy or hospital, or drop by the The Design School @ Taylor’s University’s Instagram (link opens in a new tab).

Urgent Medicine Recall Notice. Are You Affected? Read This!

THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM GSK MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur, 30 March 2023 – GSK Malaysia is voluntarily recalling one batch of Zyrtec-D (120MG/5MG TABLETS X400), with batch number 321907 and expiry date of January 2025 printed on the blister pack. The recalled product is shown in Figure 1 below.

  • The decision to recall the product is a precautionary measure after some units were found to have blisters that were incorrectly sealed.
  • At the present time, there is no evidence that any other batches are affected, and no other complaints have been received about this product from any market since 2018.
  • Patient safety is of the utmost priority for GSK, and as a responsible pharmaceutical company, we are taking swift action to address the issue.
  • This recall does not affect Zyrtec Drop 10mg/ml, Zyrtec Solution 1mg/ml and Zyrtec Tablet 10mg, and patients may continue these medications.
MORE ABOUT THE RECALL
Figure 1: Printed side of the blister pack; click image for a larger and clearer version.

All tablet packs/blisters from this batch are being recalled at all levels in the Malaysian market, including those already dispensed to patients.

  • GSK is requesting all patients who have been dispensed Zyrtec-D tablets from any in-country retail, pharmacy, or healthcare outlet to return the product with immediate effect to the original point of purchase, within the next 15 days.
  • We urge all healthcare professionals to immediately cease prescribing, dispensing, selling, or distributing product from this batch.
  • Patients should seek advice from their healthcare provider on alternative treatments.

We understand that this recall may cause inconvenience to our patients, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. GSK is committed to supplying high-quality medicines to our patients, and the quality of our products remains our utmost priority. We assure you that we are investigating the matter thoroughly and will take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

There is no adverse event reported to GSK Pharmacovigilance for the mentioned batch as of today. GSK monitors and reports safety events for all GSK products and reports to relevant regulatory authorities.

CONTACT DETAILS
  • Consumers or healthcare providers with questions regarding this recall may contact GSK by phone at +603-7495 2600 on Monday through Friday from the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, or by e-mail at [email protected]
  • Patients who have been prescribed and dispensed product from this batch and have concerns should contact their healthcare provider first.
  • Pharmacy, clinic and hospital that have recalled product to be returned, please directly contact Zuellig Pharma Sdn Bhd at 1800 88 1388 / [email protected]
  • Any matter related to Human Safety Information / Adverse Event, please contact GSK Pharmacovigilance at [email protected]