Humana to Provide Free DisposeRx™ Packets for Safe Disposal of Unused or Expired Medications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leading health and well-being company Humana, Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is now providing DisposeRx™ packets to Humana Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) and commercial members with opioid prescriptions, that meet established criteria, through Humana Pharmacy’s mail delivery and retail pharmacy locations. Humana Pharmacy is Humana’s wholly-owned mail-delivery pharmacy service and retail pharmacy.

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DisposeRx is the industry leader meeting the complex needs of convenient drug disposal, and their packets contain a safe solution for the disposal of unused or expired medications.

“We want to do everything we can to help protect our members and their families from the dangers of abuse, accidental poisonings and overdoses—which can stem from having leftover or expired opioid medications in the household,” said Labeed Diab, President, Humana Pharmacy Solutions. “Providing DisposeRx packets at no extra cost to the people who need them most is a natural move for us to make.”

Patients who are opioid naïve, have a change or discontinuation of therapy or request a solution for disposal of their expired or unneeded medications will receive DisposeRx packets at no cost to them. Additionally, DisposeRx packets are being added to Humana’s over the counter health and wellness allowance available on certain Medicare Advantage plans beginning in 2019.

According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among people aged 12 or older who misused prescription pain relievers in the past year, 53 percent either bought them from, took them from or were given them by a friend or family member and 37.5 percent obtained them from a health care provider.

“DisposeRx is committed to the eradication of unused medications. Efforts such as the multi-faceted program announced by Humana will contribute significantly to meeting this goal,” said William Simpson, DisposeRx President. “Reversing the devastating opioid crisis in our nation requires collaboration, education and public awareness campaigns designed to change the present culture and habits around medication disposal. We thank Humana for taking critical steps to educate its customers on the dangers of unused medications and for providing DisposeRx packets for immediate at-home use.”

DisposeRx packets contain a blend of materials that allow unused or expired medications to be disposed of safely. Patients simply add the DisposeRx powder and water to their drugs in the prescription vial and shake for 30 seconds —this dissolves, then chemically and physically sequesters the drugs in a viscous polymer gel made from materials FDA-approved for oral medications. Thus, the effects of the drugs are neutralized.

“Although our country is making progress in the fight against the opioid epidemic, there is still work to be done,” said Diab. “A need still exists for stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to seek creative solutions to help solve this public health crisis.”

Humana Pharmacy currently has 43 retail locations throughout the country. Humana Pharmacy was recently named the Highest in Customer Satisfaction with U.S. Mail Order Pharmacies. Humana Pharmacy received the highest score among mail order pharmacies in the J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Pharmacy Study of customers’ satisfaction with their pharmacy. Visit jdpower.com/awards for details.

About Humana

Humana Inc. is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

To accomplish that, we support physicians and other health care professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools – such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions – combine to produce a simplified experience that makes health care easier to navigate and more effective.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at www.humana.com, including copies of:

• Annual reports to stockholders
• Securities and Exchange Commission filings
• Most recent investor conference presentations
• Quarterly earnings news releases and conference calls
• Calendar of events
• Corporate Governance information

About DisposeRx, Inc.

DisposeRx, Inc. is a drug disposal company that provides a solution to eradicate the misuse of unused medications. With offices in North Carolina, the Company is spearheading programs to educate communities about practical, convenient, inexpensive and safe medication disposal solutions, preventing drug addictions, overdoses and deaths. We distribute our drug disposal product through pharmacies, hospitals, hospices, community groups, law enforcement agencies, retailers and wholesalers nationwide. DisposeRx treatment both chemically and physically sequesters medications in a viscous gel, which eliminates the opportunity for drug diversion and prevents the pollution of water supplies. DisposeRx’s simple-to-use disposal solution enables users to secure a healthier home and facilitates the easy disposal of unwanted medications into household trash.

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