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Project Goal
MED-Project, a non-profit stewardship organization focused on implementing and operating mandated drug take-back programs on behalf of participating manufacturers, currently operates 22 pharmaceutical product stewardship programs in California, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, New York, and Maine. An important aspect of these programs has been establishing drug drop-off locations and drop boxes within a community. MED-Project, as an approved program operator, provides services and drop boxes for the collection and disposal of unwanted pharmaceutical products from households. In addition to setting requirements for placement of drop boxes that is based upon the population density, the legislations often require program operators provide accessible medication take-back services that are geographically distributed in a way to ensure access in rural and underserved areas.Business Problem Solved
Today's new EPR take-back laws are mandating drug take-back programs with the goal of making safe and secure disposal easy and convenient for patients that rely on them to treat medical conditions. The challenge MED-Project is dealing with is that the requirements outlined in legislation can differ in each jurisdiction, making the site selection of drop boxes across an entire state, a geographic puzzle. The majority of the requirements are location-based problems that require technology such as geographic information system (GIS) to ensure accurate placement and operations of services within a community. To accomplish this, MED-Project is leveraging GIS tools and analysis to place drop boxes in a manner that drop boxes are geographically distributed and provide equitable access.
Technology Implemented
MED-Project’s analysis starts by bringing together data on drop box locations, Census data, and publicly available data into their proprietary GIS implementation. They leverage the ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension, a solution that allows them to connect their CRM, where drop box locations and information are stored, into their ArcGIS Enterprise environment for analysis, visualization, and automated notification. By pulling in data from multiple sources, MED-Project is positioned to successfully meet legislative requirements and easily visualize datasets in one comprehensive view. With GIS technology, MED-Project was first able to ingest real-time data into their mapping and set up updates that issue alerts, ensuring that operational staff have situational awareness and can make necessary adjustments to sustain compliance.
Development Team Biography
Victor Vizcaino is the GIS Solutions Architect for MED-Project. He is an impact-focused GIS leader with 12 years of experience leveraging the ESRI suite of products to implement innovative solutions with a focus on systems integrations and automation. He has applied his skillset within a government role, the private environmental consulting industry, and the non-profit pharmaceutical take-back industry. As a father, it is important that his work positively impacts society for future generations.
Bill Stewart is the Sr. Director of Data Services for MED-Project. He has been leading teams and transforming IT, Project Management Organizations & Businesses for over three decades. Combining a background in Philosophy (yes, you read that right) with 30 years real-life, in-the-trenches IT, Project Management & Business experience his goal is to develop and empower exceptional teams and individuals. It is these teams who drive, innovate & transform great ideas into exceptional results.