TerryWhite Chemmart and Sanofi, one of Australia’s leading suppliers of medicines and vaccines, have reaffirmed their partnership with the Return of Unwanted Medicines (RUM) program as they work to reduce the environmental impact of unwanted or out-of-date medications. The RUM Project, now entering its 25th year, has already safely disposed of over 12.5 million kilograms of medicinal waste, playing a key role in environmental protection through the responsible disposal of medicines.
TerryWhite Chemmart has doubled the number of RUM bins collected across the Pharmacy Network from 1,500 in 2023, to 3,129 in 2024. This was achieved during their annual RUM Awareness campaign which runs late August to mid-September. This is not a one-off effort, as the pharmacy network remains dedicated to these disposal efforts throughout the year, ensuring that safe and responsible medication disposal is an ongoing priority.
Recently, Sanofi’s leadership, including Liz Selby, Country Lead and Head of Pharma, and Mike Zhang, General Manager Vaccines, met with leaders from TerryWhite Chemmart, including Executive General Manager, Nick Munroe and Acting Chief Pharmacist Krystel Tresillian, to discuss ongoing initiatives for the RUM Project. This strategic dialogue highlighted the continued dedication of both organisations to promote safe medicine disposal, protect the environment, and explore new ways to enhance public awareness of the program.
“Together with Sanofi, we are committed to reminding Australians of the importance of disposing of their unwanted medications safely,” said Nick Munroe, Executive General Manager of TerryWhite Chemmart. “By bringing expired or unused medicines to their local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacy, Australians can help reduce environmental harm and eliminate the risks associated with improper storage and disposal.”
Mr. Munroe highlighted the accessibility of the initiative, stating, “With more than 600 TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacies nationwide, and our continued partnership with Sanofi, we are well-positioned to help Australians across the country contribute to healthier communities and a healthier environment.”
Sanofi Australia has been a key partner in the RUM initiative since 2021. “We joined the RUM Project to address the critical need for sustainable disposal of unwanted or expired medicines, which can pose significant risks to Australia’s environment and waterways if not handled properly,” said Ms. Selby.
“We know that people are eager to do their part in protecting the planet, and responsible medicine disposal is a vital part of that effort. Many just need the guidance on how to go about it. Our ongoing partnership with Return Unwanted Medicines and TerryWhite Chemmart focuses on educating the public and celebrating the program’s successes. As we look ahead, our shared goal is to further reduce the environmental impact of medicinal waste in Australia.”
Sanofi’s involvement in this initiative is part of a broader environmental strategy. “This partnership aligns with Sanofi’s commitment to addressing climate change by minimising the environmental impact of our products and operations, including eco-design of packaging, decarbonisation, and waste reduction efforts,” added Ms. Selby.
Toni Riley, Program Director of the Return Unwanted Medicines Project, reflected on the collaboration, stating, “This partnership between TerryWhite Chemmart, Sanofi, and RUM is unprecedented in its scope. It allows us to connect with Australians throughout the lifecycle of their medicines. The missing piece of the puzzle is ensuring that individuals with out-of-date or unwanted medications in their homes take action by using our free and convenient service.”
As the RUM Project approaches its 25th year, TerryWhite Chemmart and Sanofi remain steadfast in their commitment to making safe medication disposal easy and accessible. Together, they encourage all Australians to take part in reducing the environmental impact of medicinal waste by visiting their local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacy.
By continuing to support the RUM Project, this partnership plays a vital role in protecting both public health and the environment, making a meaningful difference as we approach this significant milestone year.
