June 30, 2011

How Genentech Supports the Safe Collection and Proper Disposal of Used Sharps Genentech is recognized as a sustainability leader and is committed to acting as a responsible corporate citizen in all of its activities. Accordingly, the company has taken steps to prevent unintentional needle-stick injuries among our patients, their families and others who may handle sharps used with our self-injected medicines.

As a manufacturer, we have responsibility — in concert with doctors, pharmacists, municipalities and patients — to help facilitate the proper handling and disposal of needles. We take this responsibility seriously, and work diligently to educate patients about how to safely handle and dispose of our products. Our commitment to preventing needle-stick injuries is evidenced by the resources we provide to our patients, including injection devices with protective sheaths, sharps containers, and multiple information sources and tools on safe injection and proper syringe disposal.

As a general resource, Genentech provides a web page where patients can find local sharps disposal locations for their used sharps. Titled "Dealing with Used Sharps Responsibly: A Guide for Patients," the page links to information about disposal locations throughout the United States provided by state and local governments and other organizations.

Genentech currently markets and sells three self-injected medicines in California: Fuzeon (enfuvirtide), Nutropin [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection], and Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a). Genentech's efforts to ensure proper use and disposal of sharps include:

Fuzeon Fuzeon is supplied as a powder that must be reconstituted. Patients are provided with a "convenience kit," which contains all items necessary for use of Fuzeon, including safety syringes for reconstituting and injecting the medicine. Specialty pharmacies providing Fuzeon to patients also provide sharps containers to Fuzeon patients free of charge. In addition, patients and/or caregivers can obtain sharps containers from Genentech free of charge.

Fuzeon patient information literature references safe injection and appropriate disposal of used sharps. Patients are encouraged to not throw used sharps into trash or recycling containers and to contact their healthcare provider or pharmacy for disposal information.

The Fuzeon page on this website also provides a link to the "Dealing with Used Sharps Responsibly" page.

Nutropin Nutropin provides safe management and collection education to patients and caregivers in a number of ways. Nutropin is distributed through specialty pharmacies, which are contracted to provide appropriate needle disposal methods to patients. All patients receive a Patient Education Kit. These are distributed by specialty pharmacies, as well as Healthcare Providers and the Nutropin Nurse Hotline (866-Nutropin). The kits include instructional brochures and a DVD, which communicate the need for proper disposal of used sharps and encourage patients to contact their healthcare provider for proper disposal methods. Patients may also call the Nutropin Nurse Hotline to obtain a sharps container and information on the proper disposal.

Pegasys Pegasys is a once-weekly injectable which is supplied as a solution in vials and pre-filled syringes. These pre-filled syringes include a needle guard.

The Pegasys team provides a variety of resources to patients to encourage the proper handling and disposal of sharps.  The key resource is the Patient Starter Kit.  A free sharps container is provided with every Starter Kit.  Instruction on proper needle disposal is provided on the container itself.  The website address for the “Dealing with Used Sharps Responsibly” page and the 800 number where patients can inquire about sharps disposal are listed on the container.  The Patient Starter Kit also includes a self-injection guide and patient information DVD, which both include information about proper handling and disposal of used needles.

Genentech also provides a patient support website, pegassist.com, which provides access to a printable copy of the Self-injection Demonstration Guide and a video, which include information about proper needle disposal.

In addition, Genentech offers patient education classes, which include information about safe self-injection technique and proper used needle handling and disposal.

The information above also comprises Genentech's plan for the safe collection and proper disposal of self-injected medical devices under California Public Resources Code section 47115 and Minnesota Statutes section 116.835.