We will give away empty bottles … at the pharmacy? Pharmacists are protesting against the Caration System

Although the deposit system is to appear in Poland only from October, there is no further doubt about its functioning. The pharmaceutical industry strongly opposes the pharmacies with the obligation to receive bottles and cans, but the ministry remains in its position, they give the facts of TVN. There was even a petition in this matter.

Pharmacists throughout the country protest against the regulations introducing the deposit system, demanding changes from the Ministry of the Climate and the Environment. In the material of Facts, TVN indicates that pharmacies are accumulated with medicines and the space of space for garbage containers will be difficult, and the reception of used bottles is in contradiction to sanitary principles in such facilities.

The pharmacy serves health protection

The pharmaceutical industry argues that pharmacies do not only sell drugs and prescriptions. In pharmacy points, 26 preparations are vaccinated and also often produces drugs, e.g. those ordered individually for the patient. Preparation of the drug requires sterile, sterile conditions, and waste in the pharmacy can pose a sanitary threat, says Marta Hoszman-Kulisz, who is also the author of an online petition to exclude pharmacies from the deposit system. The pharmacist also draws attention to the fact that pharmacies are not retail stores, but in places of public trust where people in different health come.

The Supreme Pharmaceutical Chamber with an appeal to exclude pharmacies

In July, pharmacists drew attention to the problem with the participation of pharmacies in the deposit system. During the meeting of the permanent subcommittee on the monitoring of the waste management, the president of the President Dr. Marek Tomków indicated the threats of this solution, comparing them with bringing beer bottles to the surgical department. The Chamber expresses support for environmental protection, but does not agree to collect waste in pharmacies due to patient safety.

The ministry does not change their minds

The head of the climate ministry, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, in an interview with TVN facts, denies that the ministry plans to change the deposit system for dietary supplements sold in pharmacies and excluding these facilities from the system. The category is so wide that their removal could encourage other manufacturers to call their products supplements to avoid the obligation. This coincides with the Ministry's response to a parliamentary interpellation, in which the ministry assured that due to the tightness and consistency of the deposit system, no changes were planned.

The deposit system is already in October

The deposit system introduces the EU Directive SP (Single-USE-Plastic) and is to ensure an increase in recycling and limiting packaging waste. It is supposed to apply to plastic PET bottles up to 3 liters, metal cans up to 1 liter and glass bottles of reusable up to 1.5 liters. For the first two waste categories, the deposit is to be PLN 0.50, while for glass bottles – PLN 1. An additional fee is to be added to the price of the drink at the checkout, and the consumer will be able to obtain a refund, bringing the packaging to any point covered by the deposit system.

Stores with an area of 200 m2 will be required to take packaging and paying a deposit, while at smaller points it will be voluntary. Pharmacies, due to the sale of dietary supplements in bottles covered by the system, will also have to take used bottles, even if the product was purchased elsewhere.

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