Alliance Healthcare partners with Novo Nordisk for the launch of PenCycle; the circular recycling initiative

Alliance Healthcare UK is delighted to collaborate with Novo Nordisk to help reduce plastic pen devices entering UK landfills by up to 1.1 million in the next year.

Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company specialising in treatments for people living with diabetes, obesity, and rare blood and endocrine disorders, has launched PenCycle; the circular recycling initiative for pre-filled diabetes and weight management pens. As a partner organisation, Alliance Healthcare will be delivering all the materials needed to recycle the pre-filled injection pen devices, including a blue PenCycle Recycling Bin, PenCycle Return Boxes and other support materials to Community pharmacy. These materials are being provided completely free of charge by Novo Nordisk. 

A first-of-its-kind in the UK, the PenCycle Pilot has launched across Greater Manchester, Leicestershire & Rutland, and Greater Glasgow and Clyde, ahead of a planned national roll-out next year. Selected pharmacies in these areas have been invited to participate to show their support towards the environmental target, and upon sign up of the scheme, will play a big role in helping to reduce waste and advance the sustainability agenda of community pharmacy.

Skills in Healthcare has led participation in the project on behalf of Alliance Healthcare, from initial discussions with Novo Nordisk to the official launch which happened on 1st November. Skills in Healthcare will now support pharmacy engagement and on boarding of pharmacies to the scheme.

Paul Fowler, Head of Skills in Healthcare, presented at the launch event and said: “We are delighted to be partnered with Novo Nordisk, supporting the design and delivery of the PenCycle Recycling Pilot within a pharmacy setting. The process has been designed to be simple to manage and allows a pharmacy to participate by using all the systems and processes they are already familiar with. It provides their patients with a new pharmacy return option and supports them to recycle their Novo Nordisk Insulin pens. I hope all the pharmacies in the pilot areas will participate and help make PenCycle a real success story. “

As a central point of care, community pharmacies will be key to the success of this forward-thinking initiative, and Alliance Healthcare are delighted to play a part of it.

Pharmacies located in the relevant pilot areas are encouraged to join the scheme by visiting: https://www.alliance-healthcare.co.uk/pencycle.

For more information, you can contact the Skills in Healthcare PenCycle team at: PenCycle@skills-in-healthcare.co.uk

About Skills in Healthcare

Skills in Healthcare is a contract sales and marketing business that provides customers with flexible and cost-effective solutions to realise retail pharmacy potential. With over 70 years’ experience in retail pharmacy, Skills in Healthcare provides a wide range of services including dynamic sales support, training, consulting, call centre and branding support.

To find out more visit: https://www.skills-in-healthcare.co.uk/