SANFORD, NC – November 23, 2020 – DisposeRx, the product leader in at-home medication disposal solutions, released the latest state-focused series featuring discussions with employer, medical, pharma and addiction experts working to curb the opioid crisis and improve lives in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The Collision of the Opioid and COVID-19 Public Health Crises: A Kentucky Perspective, is the second townhall webinar in the series to draw attention to states greatly impacted by the opioid epidemic and now the pandemic. According to the American Medical Association, Kentucky is one of 40 states reporting increases in opioid-related deaths in recent months. The discussion centered around public/private collaboration efforts underway to address the opioid crisis and growing addiction and mental health concerns exacerbated by the pandemic, and prevention education initiatives to curb addiction and misuse.
Moderated by Jana Bailey, an advanced practice nurse, certified registered nurse anesthetist and member of the Kentucky Board of Nursing, participants included Kelly J. Clark, MD, founder of Addiction Crisis Solutions and DisposeRx board member; John M. Edwards, III, a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Baptist Health Lexington; Natalie Middaugh, community health program manager for the Kentuckiana Health Collaborative; Lisa Smith, PharmD, senior director, Clinical Excellence for Walmart Inc.; and Helisha Ward Tuerk, programs coordinator for AmeriCorps Seniors at Morehead State University.
“As we navigate the pandemic, it’s critical that employers, payers, pharma, legislators, providers and even patients respond quickly and appropriately to these changing conditions,” said Dr. Clark. “We must all work together ensure that people who are in treatment continue to receive support and that people can get into treatment once it’s been determined that they have a problem.”
The webinar series can be viewed on demand. The third webinar in the series will focus on West Virginia and be held in January 2021.
About DisposeRx Packets
DisposeRx at-home medication disposal packets are comprised of materials that are FDA-approved for oral medications and provide a simple, convenient and effective solution for the disposal of unused or expired medications. The active ingredient in the medication is chemically and physically sequestered in a polymer gel when water and the DisposeRx powder are added to a prescription vial and shaken. Patients can use the patented product with pills, tablets, capsules, liquids and powders and can then throw away the vial in the household trash.
About DisposeRx, Inc.
DisposeRx, Inc., a North Carolina-based company, is dedicated to decreasing the risks of drug diversion, overdoses, suicides, accidental poisonings and antibiotic resistance by facilitating medication management behavior change and eradicating the misuse of leftover medications. DisposeRx’s market-leading, patented drug disposal packets and education programs are currently available at 60% of retail pharmacies and through 90% of the wholesale pharmacy and medical distributors across the nation. For more information, visit DisposeRx.com.
