Carlucci & Good Samaritan Hospital Team Up to Distribute Opioid Deactivation Pouches Donated by Mallickrodt Pharmaceutical

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY– With the opioid epidemic still running rampant in the Hudson Valley, Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) and Good Samaritan Hospital will announce a new initiative designed to promote a cleaner, safer method of destroying unused opioid medications.  Mallinckrodt pharmaceutical will donate 7500 deactivation pouches that can be another helpful resource in the fight against opioids that will be distributed by Good Samaritan and Carlucci's office.   

“Everyone from doctors and law enforcement to patients themselves have to be partners in the fight against the opioid epidemic.  Promoting resources like these pouches, which are available to health practitioners, that can be helpful in any way are good tools to have in the community.  As a result of this partnership with Good Samaritan and Mallinckrodt, we can help encourage patients who are prescribed medications with opioids dispose of them in a cleaner and safer way,” stated Senator Carlucci.

“We are pleased to accept this generous donation from Mallinckrodt and to partner with Sen. Carlucci on this significant initiative for our community,” said Mary P. Leahy, MD, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System/Good Samaritan Hospital. “Giving people a convenient, safe way to dispose of their medications is prevention at its best. By reducing the numbers of unused medications in our medicine cabinets, we create fewer opportunities for those medications to be abused. And we are very hopeful that this initiative will serve to continue the community conversation on saving lives.” 

"As a company focused on the health and well-being of our patients and communities, Mallinckrodt has long been a strong advocate of addressing the complex issues of opioid misuse and abuse that cause so much harm to families," said Mark Trudeau, Mallinckrodt President and Chief Executive Officer. "We share the concerns of parents across the nation, and believe that providing patients with a safe, environmentally responsible way to dispose of unused medications is critical in this fight against prescription drug abuse," added Trudeau. “Mallinckrodt is committed to working with health care providers, policy makers, community leaders, law enforcement and industry partners to ensure the responsible use of pain medication and prevent unused medications from ending up in the wrong hands."

Several members of the Good Samaritan medical staff and representatives of Mallinckrodt were on hand to demonstrate the pouches.  Below is a brief description of how they work:

• Sealable pouch contains active carbon
• Patient adds any remaining medications and water to the pouch
• Carbon binds to the active ingredients and breaks the medication down
• Sealed pouch can then be safely disposed of in household garbage

Good Samaritan and Senator Carlucci’s office will be distributing the pouches throughout the community.  For more information, please call Senator Carlucci’s office at (845) 623-3627

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About Good Samaritan Hospital, a Member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network

Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York, is a 286-bed hospital providing emergency, medical, surgical, obstetrical/gynecological and acute care services to residents of Rockland and southern Orange Counties in New York; and northern Bergen County, New Jersey.  The hospital is home to a recognized cardiovascular program, comprehensive cancer treatment services, the area’s leading Wound and Hyperbaric Institute and outstanding maternal/child services that includes a Children’s Diagnostic Center. Good Samaritan Hospital also provides social, psychiatric and substance abuse services and its certified home care agency supports residents of the Hudson Valley and beyond.  For more information about Good Samaritan Hospital visit bschs.bonsecours.com or follow the hospital at Facebook.com/BSCGSRMC or Twitter.com/BSCHS