HOUSTON, Sept. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sharps Compliance Corp. (Nasdaq:SMED) announces that the Partnership for Success Grant was recently awarded funding to purchase 212 of the Company’s 38-Gallon MedSafe Medication Disposal Systems with related inner receptacle liners. The Addictive Mental Disorder Division (AMDD) is providing the drop box and starter packs of liners free to interested retail pharmacies and hospital and clinics with on-site pharmacies. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Partnership for Success Grant are paying for this program.
This program is free of charge to qualifying pharmacies committed to providing medication disposal services to their patients. MedSafe drop boxes will be allocated according to need with the highest priority going to those counties which currently have no access to a disposal box. AMDD is committed to funding this disposal program to ensure maximum opportunity for Montana residents to properly dispose of controlled substances, preventing diversion and abuse.
Christine Steele, AMDD Prevention Program Manager, said, “With the opiate epidemic we are facing, it is important that we all collaborate and commit to providing an avenue for our residents to safely dispose of their medications.”
David P. Tusa, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sharps Compliance, commented, “We have long believed that one of the key elements to effectively addressing the opioid abuse problem is the safe, convenient, and proper disposal of unused medications. We’re very pleased to play a role in providing the state of Montana a solution to prevent the misuse of opioids.”
The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that between 60 and 92% of patients don’t finish their painkillers, and fewer than 10% dispose of them safely. Sixty percent of patients keep partially completed opioid prescriptions “for later,” while more than 80% don’t store their narcotic painkillers in a locked cabinet.
“The MedSafe Medication Disposal Systems make it easy for the public to safely dispose of their unwanted and unused prescription drugs in their own communities,” according to Steele.
For information on how to participate in this program, please contact Christine Steele 406-444-1202, csteele@mt.gov.
About Addictive and Mental Disorders Division (AMDD) of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHSS)
The mission of the Addictive and Mental Disorders Division (AMDD) of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is to implement and improve an appropriate statewide system of prevention, treatment, care, and rehabilitation for Montanans with mental disorders or addictions to drugs or alcohol. AMDD provides substance abuse and adult mental health services by contracting with behavioral health providers throughout Montana.
About Sharps Compliance
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Sharps Compliance is a leading full-service national provider of comprehensive waste management services, including medical, pharmaceutical, and hazardous. Sharps provides two simple solutions for safe and easy disposal of unused medications: MedSafe collection receptacles and TakeAway Medication Recovery System envelopes. Since 2009, Sharps’ solutions have facilitated the proper destruction of more than 2 million pounds of unused medications. More information on the Company and its products can be found on its website at www.sharpsinc.com.
Company Contact:
Diana Diaz, CFO
Sharps Compliance, Inc
(713) 432-0300
ddiaz@sharpsinc.com