http://www.phrma.org/
http://www.efpia.org/Content/Default.asp
http://www.efpia.org/Content/Default.asp
http://www.setac.org/
http://www.setac.org/
http://www.ecetoc.org/Content/Default.asp
http://www.ecetoc.org/Content/Default.asp
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/factsht/proper_disposal.html
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/factsht/proper_disposal.html
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/factsht/proper_disposal.html
http://www.smarxtdisposal.net/
Johnson & Johnson - Index
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About Our Environmental Practices
bottles and switching from non-certified
paper board in our BAND-AID ® packaging
to board from Brazil that is now
100% FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship
Council).
Under our Healthy Planet 2010
goals, we have specific Company-wide
targets for paper-based packaging and
PVC packaging. (See Forest Products
Purchasing and Polyvinyl Chloride)
PHARMACEUTICALS
IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Trace quantities of ingredients found in
pharmaceuticals have been detected
in water systems in the U.S. and Europe.
These compounds reach the environment
primarily from normal patient and
consumer use as they pass through the
body and into sewer and wastewater
treatment systems.
There is concern that these trace levels
might present a risk to human health or
aquatic organisms. A substantial body of
peer-reviewed research studies suggests
it is unlikely that these quantities affect
human health. Scientists have found
no evidence of adverse human health
effects from trace levels of pharmaceuticals
in the environment (PIE). While the
science is evolving, most studies have
found that these compounds do not
present a significant risk to aquatic
organisms at concentrations typically
found in the environment. However,
some studies have shown that certain
endocrine-active chemicals do
affect some aquatic species after
long-term exposure. Additional research
is needed to properly evaluate the
potential impacts on aquatic life.
Johnson & Johnson fully supports
further scientific study to better understand
the impact of trace amounts of
pharmaceutical and other compounds
on the environment. We are actively
engaged on this issue both on our
own and in cooperation with academia,
industry and government.
In 2002, Johnson & Johnson formed
a task force to assess the significance of
endocrine-active materials and PIE. It is
MORE ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES
a challenging issue due to its complexity:
• sources of PIE are geographically
wide-spread;
• pharmaceuticals may exist in their
original chemistry or as metabolites;
• the environment already contains
natural estrogens; and,
• the science to assess the risks of
drug mixtures is still developing.
Johnson & Johnson is working on
these challenges in cooperation with
academic institutions and other organizations
such as, PhRMA (Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America),
European Federation of Pharmaceutical
Industries and Associations, Society of
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
and European Centre for Ecotoxicology
and Toxicology of Chemicals. Through
PhRMA, we have opened a dialogue
with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and U.S. Food and Drug
Association to address PIE concerns.
Although the vast majority of pharmaceutical
and other compounds found in
water systems arises from normal patient
and consumer use, Johnson & Johnson
operating companies are taking steps
to evaluate and minimize or eliminate
these compounds from their wastewater.
Periodic wastewater monitoring has
been used to determine potential toxicity
to aquatic organisms, to conduct risk
assessments, and to develop safe levels
(Predicted No Effect Concentrations or
PNECs) for our active pharmaceutical
ingredients (APIs). At the end of 2007,
most of our global pharmaceutical manufacturing
facilities producing APIs had
characterized their wastewater effluent.
This information will be used to explore
risk management options to reduce risk
where appropriate.
Another way pharmaceutical compounds
can reach the environment is
through consumer disposal of unused or
expired medicines. Johnson & Johnson
supports the U.S. White House Office
of National Drug Control Policy for
the Proper Disposal of Prescription
Pharmaceuticals. This policy suggests a
combination of take-back programs when
they are available, trash disposal for most
medicines, and flushing for some specific
pharmaceuticals, such as narcotics.
Johnson & Johnson is also participating
in an educational effort, called
SMARxT Disposal, being led by PhRMA,
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the
American Pharmacists Association to
inform consumers about proper disposal
of unused or expired medicines.
POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) PACKAGING
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has long been
used in packaging for drugs, medical
devices and personal care products
because of its desirable physical characteristics
for protecting product quality,
including impermeability to moisture,
gas and flavor. But Johnson & Johnson
operating companies also understand
concerns about the ability to dispose of
PVC in an environmentally sound manner
and the difficulties with recycling PVC.
Our Consumer franchise had a goal for
100 percent removal of PVC in primary
packaging by the end of 2007.
Primary packaging is that which has
direct contact with our products.
1º PVC Packaging – Consumer Franchise
Million kilograms used
Goal (by 2010) 0
2005 2.59
2006 3.20
2007* 2.78
*Includes former Pfizer Consumer
Healthcare PVC.
Although not apparent from this data
representation, the franchise eliminated
nearly all primary PVC that was in ‘legacy’
consumer products (those products in
the sector prior to the acquisition of
Pfizer Consumer Healthcare) by the end
of 2007. The bulk of the remaining
primary PVC is from Pfizer Consumer
Healthcare (PCH) and we anticipate full
elimination during 2008.
Additionally, we had a goal for 100
percent removal of PVC in our secondary
and tertiary packaging throughout the
Company, by the end of 2007. An example
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