News & Events
Flint’s Local Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy Supports Yellow Jug Old Drugs Non-Profit Program
08 July 10
Swartz Creek, Mich. July 8, 2010 — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, the nation’s largest privately owned specialty pharmacy, is participating in the community-based program, Yellow Jug Old Drugs, coordinated by the Non-Profit Corporation, Great Lakes Clean Water Organization. Diplomat Pharmacy, located on Beecher Road in Flint, is taking part in the effort to raise awareness about the harmful effects that unwanted and unused drugs have on the environment.“At Diplomat, we have a long standing commitment to serve our community and provide needed services to the residents of Genesee County. By getting on board with Yellow Jug Old Drugs, we’re bringing awareness to the Flint community about the harmful effects drugs have on our environment when not properly disposed,” said Diplomat Pharmacist and Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Susan Pennell. “It’s unfortunate that lack of knowledge on this matter has been the main cause of the damage that’s been done to our water supply.”
Chris Angel, President, Volunteer Board of Directors for Great Lakes Clean Water Organization stated, “The response to the Yellow Jug Old Drugs program has been very positive. Pharmacists are reporting that customers are very pleased that they are now offering this service. Everybody agrees it just makes good sense to keep drugs out of our water.”
The Yellow Jug Old Drugs program began in Northeast Michigan to promote the collection and disposal of unused/unwanted/expired drugs. The program was started due to the increasing amounts of pharmaceutical compounds found in surface and ground water, resulting in water contamination and a negative impact on the aquatic ecosystem including birds, fish and other wildlife.
The Yellow Jug Old Drugs program provides a positive solution to this environmental problem by enforcing prevention. Yellow Jugs are now available at 74 pharmacies in Northeast Michigan, Northwest Michigan, Bay City, Thumb area and Southeast Michigan with more pharmacies adding each month. Individuals can bring unused/unwanted/expired drugs to participating pharmacies, such as Diplomat. There is no cost for the service. Once drugs are dropped off, they are then taken to a Covanta Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facility for safe and proper disposal.
“We are pleased to announce our participation in the Yellow Jug Program. We have been aware of the need for facilitating proper disposal of unused and outdated medications for some time now,” said Mrs. Pennell. “It’s great that a program like Yellow Jug Old Drugs was formed and the affirmative recognition it’s receiving.”
To learn more about Yellow Jug Old Drugs program, participating pharmacies or how to properly dispose of unused/unwanted drugs, go to or call 989.736.8179.
About Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy Michigan-based Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, founded in 1975, is the nation’s largest privately held Specialty Pharmacy and focuses on complete medication management programs for patients with serious and chronic conditions. Key programs include: Oncology, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s, Hemophilia, Growth Hormone and Psoriasis. Other specialty areas include Transplant, Fertility, Dialysis Medication Management, Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy and Specialty Compounding. The company also specializes in disease management programs for chronic kidney disease patients. With locations in Flint, Swartz Creek and Grand Rapids, MI; Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and Los Angeles.