Zwicker, Freiman to Help Host Prescription Drug Disposal Event at Hunterdon Healthcare

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Will Donate 5,000 Drug Deactivation Pouches

WHO:            Assemblyman Roy Freiman, (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon)

Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon)

Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, (R-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon)

Julian Malasi, Director, Government Affairs & Advocacy, Mallinckrodt

Robert J. Cody, MBA, MD, Interim President and CEO, Hunterdon Healthcare

Donald Pinner, FACHE, Senior Vice President of Community Health Improvement and Chief Operating Officer, Hunterdon Regional Community Health

Margaret M. Doyle, MSN, RN, CHPN, Hunterdon Hospice Director

Eric J. Orlando, Senior Vice President, Kaufman Zita Group

Frederick W. Brown, Hunterdon County Sheriff

Anthony P. Kearns, III, Hunterdon County Prosecutor
Other elected officials, healthcare executives, community leaders, general public

WHAT:         Prescription drug disposal event featuring a donation of 5,000 drug deactivation pouches by Mallinckrodt

WHERE:       Hunterdon Healthcare
(Main hospital, Conference Rooms A and B)

2100 Wescott Drive

Flemington, NJ 08822

WHEN:         4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018

WHY:            In many instances, the abuse and misuse of opioids begins with prescription drugs that have been left unsecured in the home or that were not properly disposed and then get into the wrong hands. A national survey found that 6 out of 10 U.S. adults using opioids had or expected to have leftover opioid pills. To provide a means of properly disposing these drugs, Assemblymen Freiman and Zwicker will co-host this event during which Mallinckrodt will donate 5,000 drug deactivation pouches to Hunterdon Healthcare. This donation will allow Hunterdon Healthcare, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and the Flemington Police Department to distribute the pouches free of charge to hospital patients and the community.

A drug deactivation pouch is a user-friendly, specially-formulated sealed bag that neutralizes prescription drugs. When filled with regular tap water, the pouch can be sealed, thrown away with household trash, and rendered safe for landfills. Approximately 225,000 pills can be destroyed if each of the 5,000 pouches is used to its 45-pill capacity.

“When prescription medications and drugs are not properly disposed, the end result can be tragic, because they can be stolen, misused, abused or accidently ingested,” said Assemblyman Freiman. “They pose a risk to patients or members of their household, and can be taken by unsuspecting children, teens and adults who become addicted. Providing a means to properly dispose these medications and drugs is part of our tireless efforts to help combat the opioid abuse epidemic.”

“The opioid addiction crisis has caused families unimaginable pain and agony,” said Assemblyman Zwicker. “In many instances, the seed for this addiction was planted unintentionally when drugs were left unattended and unsecured. This innocent act has destroyed families and taken lives too soon.”

“As a company focused on the health and well-being of our patients and communities, Mallinckrodt has long been a strong advocate of addressing the complex issues of opioid misuse and abuse that cause so much harm in New Jersey,“ said Mark Trudeau, Mallinckrodt President and Chief Executive Officer. “We share the concerns of people across the nation, and believe that providing patients with a safe, environmentally responsible way to dispose of unused medications is critical in this fight against prescription drug abuse. Mallinckrodt is committed to working with policy makers, community leaders, law enforcement and industry partners to ensure the responsible use of pain medication and prevent unused medications from ending up in the wrong hands.”

CONTACT:   Tiffany L. Smith, Senior Press Secretary, New Jersey General Assembly Majority Office (609) 847-3500
tsmith@njleg.org

Rhonda Sciarra, Senior Communications Manager, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
908-238-6765
rhonda.sciarra@mnk.com