International Programs for Pharmaceuticals

• Europe
  • Belgium – Bonusage
    • First implemented in the Brussels region in 2002, Bonusage is organized through a partnership of pharmaceutical wholesalers, manufacturers, and pharmacies. The program is funded by wholesalers, who pay for collection, storage and transportation, and manufacturers, who pay for incineration of the collected materials based on market share. Medicines managed through the program increased 33% from 2000 to 2011.
    • Program Fact Sheet
  • France – Cyclamed
    • The Cyclamed program started in 1993 as a voluntary program before becoming mandated by law in 2007. Funding is fully provided by the pharmaceutical industry and all pharmacies are mandated to take back medicines. In 2013 almost 15,000 tons were collected nationally.
    • Program Fact Sheet
    • List of Industry Participants/Funders
  • Hungary – Recyclomed
    • The Recyclomed program began collecting medicines in 2005 after legislation mandated a national program. Funding is provided by drug manufacturers and all pharmacies are mandated to host take-back. In 2011 there were over 4,000 locations nationally.
    • Program Fact Sheet
  • Portugal – Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Resíduous de Embalagens de Medicamentos (SIGREM)
    • Administered by the nonprofit VALORMED, SIGREM was implemented in 2001 with funding provided by pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors as well as the national pharmacy association. Although participation is voluntary, over 99% of pharmacies acted as take-back locations in 2011.
    • Program Fact Sheet
  • Spain – SIGRE Medicines and the Environment
    • Administered by the nonprofit SIGRE, this program has been in operation since 2003 with manufacturers funding and operating the take-back program. Collection is located exclusively at pharmacies, with over 21,000 participating take-back locations in 2014. Results indicate that over 70% of households utilize the system.
    • Program Fact Sheet
• North America
  • Canada – Medications Return Programs
    • This producer funded and operated program started voluntarily in British Columbia (B.C.) over 15 years ago and since has become mandated. The program has expanded beyond B.C. and now operates in most provinces.
    • British Columbia Medications Return Program Fact Sheet
    • Manitoba Medications Return Program Fact Sheet
    • Nova Scotia Medication Disposal Program and Safe Sharps Bring-Back Program Fact Sheet
    • Ontario Medications Return Program and Sharps Collection Program Fact Sheet
      • 2014 Annual Report on the Ontario Medications and Sharps Collection Program, Health Products Stewardship Association, 2015
      • 2013 Annual Report on the Ontario Medications and Sharps Collection Program, Health Products Stewardship Association, 2014
    • Prince Edward Island Medication Return Program and Sharps Collection Program Fact Sheet
    • Saskatchewan Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Program Fact Sheet – “transitional” EPR program
  • Mexico – Sistema Nacional De Gestión De Residuous De Envases Y Medicamentos (SINGREM)
    • Administered by Mexico’s National Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (CANIFARMA), the SINGREM program began collecting medicines in 2010 in several Mexican states with funding supplied by CANIFARMA. In 2014 the program underwent a major national expansion to implement the program in all cities with 100,000 or more inhabitants. As of 2014, there were 4,000 collection locations in 22 states.
    • Program Fact Sheet
    • List of Industry Participants/Funders

• South America
  • Brazil – Descarte Consciente
    • Administered by Brazil Health Service, Descarte Consciente was implemented in 2010 with funding provided by the pharmaceutical industry. Collection is located at pharmacies but is not mandatory. In 2013 the program collected 22 tons.
    • Program Fact Sheet
    • List of Industry Participants/Funders
  • Colombia – Punto Azul
    • Administered by Colombia’s National Association of Entrepreneurs (ANDI), the Punto Azul program began collecting medicines in 2010 with funding supplied by pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers. Collection is located at pharmacies and large supermarkets but is not mandatory. In 2014 there were over 685 locations nationally covering 43% of the population.
    • Program Fact Sheet
• Other Resources
  • Unused Pharmaceuticals – Where Do They End Up? A Snapshot of European Collection Schemes – Health Care Without Harm