UVA’s medical center fills about 800,000 prescriptions each year – most in plastic vials, but it’s partnering with a new company to try something different – a vial made of specially coated paper. Carrie Kovacik helps to manage the system’s distribution of medications. She says the containers do still have plastic caps that attach to a plastic collar on each vial.
“Because you have to make sure that it’s still moisture resistant, humidity resistant, child resistant, and so keeping that adapter and cap in plastic helps to make sure that the prescription medications are still safe and secure,” she explains.
These containers can be composted or recycled. They cost about the same as those made of plastic and produce 30% less carbon in the manufacturing process, and because they’re mostly paper, they’re easy to decorate. One is green with a floral pattern while the other is blue with a leaf pattern.
UVA launched a pilot program on Earth Day – using the new containers at two of its pharmacies – but if all goes well there, Kovacik says they’ll expand system-wide.
