PHARMACIES for which CH2 is their main wholesaler are now able to access Return of Unwanted Medicines (RUM) bins once again, with project manager Toni Riley confirming that all CH2 distribution centres now have bins in stock.
Riley has also urged pharmacies to remove packaging from all returned medicines before putting them into the RUM bin, in order to help sustain the program.
"Over the past few years community pharmacies have enjoyed the luxury of usually being able to order RUM bins when required, but this may not always be the case if collections continue to increase at the current rate.
"The RUM Project may have to ration the number of bins delivered each month to ensure that the program remains viable," the project manager warned.
Packaging comprises almost 50% of the volume of contents of the bins, so if every pharmacy helped out by removing packaging they should continue to have RUM bins available for use.
Pharmacies ordering the bins can do so via their usual ordering method, and no more than five can be ordered at any one time.
When the RUM bin is full and ready to be returned a Goods Return Advice (GRA) must be organised by calling Customer Service before the sealed RUM bin can be returned to the distribution centre.
As well as CH2, all other full line wholesalers also carry RUM bins, with codes for each supplier as follows: API - 700 088; CH2 - 2413909; National Pharmacy Distributors - 547 638; Sigma - 700 088; and Symbion - 447 579.
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