Second phase of #GiveBack campaign launched in PJ

(From left) Taylor’s University student Jessica Peggy Riekert, Taylor’s University The Design School programme director Asrizal Razali, Dr Pan and Lin launching the GSK #GiveBack campaign’s Phase 2 by unveiling the art installation made of used inhalers and medicine blister packs to create awareness about the impact of improperly disposed medical waste on the environment. — Photos: SAMUEL ONG/The Star

THE second phase of GSK Malaysia’s #GiveBack campaign has been launched to encourage proper disposal of medical waste.

Under the campaign, designated collection points are provided to people wanting to discard used, expired or unwanted asthma inhalers, and medicine blister packaging.

The collected pharmaceutical waste will be properly disposed of through a partnership with Kualiti Alam, a centralised integrated waste management centre.

The campaign aims to reduce landfill waste while preventing unused medications and greenhouse gases from contaminating the environment.

GSK Malaysia and Brunei communications, government affairs and strategic customer solutions director David Lin said more than 600 collection points were now available nationwide.

“The inhalers will be burnt at a high temperature in an incinerator, and carbon emissions will be reduced through the controlled technology,” he said during the launch at Sunway Pyramid in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

GSK Malaysia and Brunei vice-president and general manager Dr Jonathan Pan said the group aimed to broaden the impact of the campaign with the addition of partner pharmacies in the second phase and support from the Malaysian Pharmacists Society.

Sugeeta Chandran, disposing used blister packs in the collection bin during the #GiveBack campaign launch at Sunway Pyramid.

Lin said GSK Malaysia started the pilot phase in June last year, with Big Pharmacy as its first campaign partner.

“This year, we welcome on board additional partners such as Alpro Pharmacy, AM PM Pharmacy, Caring Pharmacy Group, FirstCare Pharmacy, HealthLane Family Pharmacy, Mega Kulim Pharmacy, Park@city Pharmacy & Medical Supplies, Straits Pharmacy and Sunway Multicare Pharmacy.

“We want to gain more traction and hope that hospitals, clinics and even local councils will reach out to collaborate,” added Lin.

Malaysian Pharmacists Society president Prof Amrahi Buang said pharmacists, as medicine experts, were the first line entrusted to educate the public on proper medical waste disposal.

He acknowledged that more could be done to sustain ongoing efforts.

“Medicine users must have literacy in knowing what to do with the remnants of their medication.

“With this small effort, we hope to empower the community in understanding their responsibility in contributing to the cycle of protecting the environment,” he added.

Part of GSK’s efforts in engaging the local community is through its commission of an art installation using discarded blister packs and asthma inhalers created by The Design School at Taylor’s University.

The installation was unveiled during the campaign’s launch and displayed during the GSK #GiveBack Roving Truck roadshow held at high-traffic venues across the Klang Valley in June.

Collection points are set up at the participating pharmacies.