Novo Nordisk Pharma (President and Representative Director Kasper Bødker Mejlvang) collects used pre-filled injection pens and recycles their plastic parts in their recycling initiative "ReMed" which began its trial operations on March 12. It has been started on a trial basis for one year in some areas of Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture. The collection will be handled by Toho Holdings, as well as by Kyoso Mirai Pharmacy, which the company operates.
The injector is a disposable syringe filled with a drug solution used in diabetes treatment, etc., and is composed of approximately 77% plastic. Conventionally, they have been incinerated or disposed of in landfills after being brought to medical institutions. Responding to this situation, the company is working to change the status quo and reduce its plastic waste footprint through this new activity, aiming for a sustainable resource cycle. The target is only pre-filled pen-type injectors for the company's diabetes drugs (insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists).
Those who are participating will receive a special collection case at one of the 15 Kyoso Mirai Pharmacies, and will bring it to the designated pharmacy with their used injectors. Injectors brought in are recycled into useful products and materials. Specific products and materials will be determined through the implementation of the program.
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