TerryWhite Chemmart and Sanofi partner in tackling environmental sustainability

In a significant collaborative effort, TerryWhite Chemmart has teamed up with Sanofi to bolster awareness of the Return of Unwanted Medicines (RUM) program on a national scale. This initiative, aptly dubbed ‘The RUM Project,’ has been a stalwart in the battle against medicinal waste for over two decades and has successfully disposed of a staggering 12.5 million kilograms of expired or unwanted medicines since its inception. The overarching goal of the program is to mitigate the adverse environmental impact of unused or outdated medications through responsible and secure disposal methods.

Nick Munroe, Executive General Manager of TerryWhite Chemmart, expressed the essence of the campaign, stating, “Together with our partners at Sanofi, this campaign is about reminding customers all Australians to dispose of their unwanted medications safely by visiting their local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacy.”

Mr Munroe emphasised the potential hazards associated with storing expired and unwanted medicines at home and the adverse consequences of improper disposal, both for individuals and the environment. He urged citizens to take advantage of the straightforward and complimentary disposal services offered at TerryWhite Chemmart locations.

With a network of over 550 TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacies across the country, and the unwavering commitment of Sanofi’s team, this collaboration aspires to foster healthier environments throughout Australia, regardless of geographical location. The alignment of values and resources between the two entities positions them as catalysts for positive change.

Karen Hood, Country Lead at Sanofi Australia, highlighted the company’s dedication to partnering with Return Unwanted Medicines since 2021, emphasising their shared vision for sustainable management of unwanted or expired medicines.

She stated, “We partnered with Return Unwanted Medicines because we understand the importance of ensuring unwanted or out-of-date medicines are handled sustainability and do not become an unnecessary risk to Australia’s environment and waterways. We know that people want to the do the right thing by the planet and that includes disposing of their medicines correctly. They just don’t know how. Since partnering with Return Unwanted Medicines, our team has helped raise awareness and utilisation of the program across our community. Together with the passionate team at TerryWhite Chemmart we aim to boost further action, celebrate the program’s success, and reduce the impact of unwanted and out-of-date medicines across Australia.”

The collaboration extends Sanofi’s commitment to address climate change and reduce the environmental impact of its business and products, encompassing initiatives such as decarbonization, eco-friendly product packaging design, and waste reduction.

Toni Riley, a Pharmacist and Program Director of Return Unwanted Medicines, expressed her optimism about this partnership, stating, “This is a first for Return Unwanted Medicines. Partnering with Australia’s largest pharmacy network TerryWhiteChemmart and global healthcare company Sanofi, means we have the chance to reach and inform people ateach stage of a medicines’ lifecycle. The last piece of the puzzle are Australians who have out-of-date orunwanted medicines in their home. Our free and convenient service is available to everyone, and I am optimisticthat this campaign will help even more people to take action.”

This joint endeavour marks a pivotal moment in the commitment to safeguarding both public health and the environment, as it seeks to educate and empower citizens to make informed choices regarding medication disposal.

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