Genentech is recognized as a sustainability leader and is committed to acting as a responsible corporate citizen in all of its activities.
We’ve taken steps to prevent unintentional sharps injuries among our patients, their families and others who may handle sharps used with our self-injected medicines.
As a manufacturer, we have a responsibility - along with doctors, pharmacists, municipalities and patients - to help facilitate the proper handling and disposal of sharps. We take this responsibility seriously, and work to educate patients about how to safely handle and dispose of our products.
To support our commitment to the safe use of sharps, we provide a number of resources to our patients, including:
We offer a tool to help patients find local sharps disposal locations for their used sharps. “How to Deal with Sharps Responsibly” links to information about disposal locations throughout the United States provided by state and local governments and other organizations.
Genentech currently markets and sells seven self-injected medicines in the United States: :
ACTEMRA is available in a single-dose prefilled syringe or single-dose prefilled ACTPen. The pre-filled syringes and autoinjector are provided with an automatic needle shield that is activated at the end of the injection process, with the shield extending down over the needle, and locking in place to prevent re-use and accidental needle-stick injuries.
Patients starting on ACTEMRA have a number of resources available to support their treatment journey. New patients are encouraged to register for ACTEMRA’s patient support program to receive a free sharps container by calling the Actemra Patient Support Line at 1-800-ACTEMRA (1-800-228-3672). After registration, the sharps container will be mailed directly to the patient along with information regarding the retrieval and disposal service offered to patients at no cost once the container is filled.
In addition to the ACTEMRA Patient Support Line, patients can go to www.actemra.com for injection instructions, medication guide and information on the safe disposal of ACTEMRA pre-filled syringes and autoinjector.
Enspryng is a subcutaneous injection given under the skin once a month via a prefilled syringe. The syringe has a needle-shield that automatically covers the needle when the injection is complete.
Enspryng patient information literature and Enspryng.com provide information about safe injection technique and appropriate disposal of used sharps. Patients are encouraged to not throw used sharps into trash or recycling containers and to refer to the FDA’s website at: http://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal for proper sharps disposal practices. Patients can also call the ENSPRYNG Patient Resource Center at -1-844-NSPRYNG (844-677-7964) and request a free sharps container that is mailed directly to the patient along with information regarding the retrieval and disposal service offered to patients at no cost once the container is filled.
Fuzeon is supplied as a powder that must be reconstituted. Patients are provided with a “convenience kit,” which contains 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 by calling 1-877-4FUZEON (1-877-438-9366).
Fuzeon patient information literature and Fuzeon.com provide information about 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.
Hemlibra is colorless to slightly yellow solution for subcutaneous injection supplied in a single-dose vial. The Prescribing Information and Instructions for Use indicate the need for a syringe, transfer needle with filter, and injection needle with safety shield to administer the product, which are provided by specialty pharmacies or Hemophilia Treatment Center pharmacies.
Hemlibra patient information literature and Hemlibra.com provide information about safe injection and appropriate disposal of used sharps. Patients are encouraged to not throw used sharps into trash or recycling containers and to refer to the FDA’s website at: http://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal for proper sharps disposal practices.
Nutropin AQ is a pre-filled injection device for subcutaneous use. 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. The kits include instructional brochures and a DVD, which communicates the need for proper disposal of used sharps. The information encourages patients to contact their healthcare provider for proper disposal methods. Patients may also visit Nutropin.com or call the Nutropin Nurse Hotline at 1-866-Nutropin (1-866-688-7674) for information on proper disposal and to obtain a sharps container.
Pegasys is an injectable which is supplied as a solution in vials or in prefilled syringes that include a needle guard.
For additional resources and information go to Pegasys.com or call the Genentech Patient Resource Center at 1-877-GENENTECH (1-877-436-3683).
Xolair is available in a prefilled syringe and autoinjector for subcutaneous use. The prefilled syringe and autoinjector includes an automatic needle shield that is activated at the end of the injection process, with the shield extending down over the needle, and locking in place to prevent re-use and accidental needle-stick injuries.
Xolair is distributed through specialty pharmacies, which are contracted to provide appropriate needle disposal methods to patients. For additional resources and information go XOLAIR.com or call the Genentech Patient Resource Center at 1-877-GENENTECH (1-877-436-3683).
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.