On Giving — (Episode 2) — REMEDI Project — reclaim unused medicine and distribute to the needy
Once a week I will try and share a unique story on Giving on this blog series. This week’s feature is the REMEDI project that is attempting to leverage technology to serve a philanthropic cause. This a great example of how we can leverage the knowledge we have and our skills for furthering a unique cause. One doesn’t always have to look at their wallet to be philanthropic.
I was at a Blockchain in Supply Chain Conference in Memphis at the end of October 2018 where I learnt about a unique project called the REMEDI project that is attempting to reclaim unused expensive cancer medicine using the Blockchain (for authenticating) and redistributing it to others who may need it. REMEDI is a collaborative effort between Good Shepherd Pharmacy a charitable pharmacy and FedEx Institute of Technology. The article in biz journal gives you more details, click on the link to REMEDI.
Being a supply chain professional, this concept really appealed to me. Every business is looking at opportunities to reduce waste and dispose of unused brand new material for pennies on the dollar, as they are no longer needed. That the same thing is happening to prescription medicine is no surprise. You might wonder, Big Deal ! can’t the family with the unused medicine just donate it. Unfortunately as it was explained at the conference, it’s not that simple. Most states in the USA don’t allow resale of medicine once it’s been sold to someone. It’s actually illegal to do so. Apparently the reclaiming and redistribution is possible in only 14 states in the US. But developing a track and trace blockchain solution that can ensure that you can track and trace the unused, unopened prescription medicine could help reduce waste and more importantly get that medicine to someone who can benefit by it. Also a technology solution can enable passage of new legislation in other states that could make it possible to reclaim medicine there also. Imagine if this can be done all over the US.
Why stop there. The applications of this type of solution are enormous if you can think of applying this concept world over. If poor patients all over the world can be benefited then this project would have made a difference. Interestingly, commercial enterprises could use this concept too to reduce waste and recover capital tied up in surplus inventory. Lack of traceability on equipment in the warehouse leads to a fire sale which nets barely anything.
But let’s stay focused on philanthropy. I remember working as a banquet server one summer when I was in college in W. Lafayette. It was my first exposure to how much food was wasted every day. State law prohibited reclaiming any food once served on the table even if it was untouched. What if we packaged the dessert in a tamper proof packaging like we do our prescription drugs in some cost effective way. Most of the banquets we served were to senior citizens who hardly ate anything. A majority of the food we served was wasted and was literally thrown away. Imagine the number of hungry people we could feed if we can figure a similar way to reclaim surplus meals and distribute to the needy or to the local food bank.
Reducing food waste also reminds me of another experience I had. In the early 2000’s I used to travel to California often and used to eat in this place called Kokila’s kitchen somewhere between Mountain View and Cupertino. The restaurant served buffets but had an interesting concept. They let you eat as much as you want as many times as you wanted. But when you finished if your plate was not empty you got charged more. A novel concept I thought to reduce wastage.
The challenge really for most of us is how we seek fulfillment. We hardly look at those who are worse of than us and always compare ourselves with those who have more. This psyche always makes us continue to hoard more than we need. I am no exception. If we could figure out a way to share what we don’t need we could all make a significant impact.
