Mailing Systems Technology - November/December 2008 - (Page 21) USPS Priority Mail and Express Mail package services can request a free pickup for their packages online. In 2006, 40 million Priority Mail and Express Mail packages were picked up for free nationwide. In addition, through the Postal Service Click-NShip solution, shippers can purchase postage online and print it from the convenience of their desktops for their Priority Mail and Express Mail packages. Also, the USPS does not include surcharges for delivering packages on Saturdays, offers free packaging and won’t charge shippers for address corrections when they use their services. A major strength of the Postal Service is that it can reach every address and PO Box in the United States, six days a week. From small towns to large cities to the most rural and remote locations, the Postal Service delivers mail to more than 300 million people at 148 million homes, businesses and PO Boxes. The Postal Service also adds 1.8 million new delivery points each year to its delivery network, which is equivalent to the number of addresses in a city the size of Chicago. The Postal Service is also offering this capability to major package carriers to help serve as the “last mile” for the delivery of ground packages. Through its Parcel Select service, USPS business partners, including major carriers, can pick up packages from large retailers and and Quality, Americans who purchased prescription drugs from mail order pharmacies rose from just under nine percent in 2000 to just over 13% in 2005. Approximately 37% who purchased drugs from mail order pharmacies were age 65 and older and close to 75% reported they had at least one chronic condition. Also, consider the following. Longer life spans and aging baby boomers in the U.S. are expected to rise dramatically during the next two decades. According to The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, there will be approximately 71.5 million people who are 65 years-old and over by 2030, representing 20% of the population. This is more than twice the number of people who were 65 and over in 2000 or 12.4% of the population. As a result, healthcare and the need for offering convenient, secure options to purchase and receive prescriptions will continue to be important to help meet the future needs of aging Americans. The Postal Service is playing a vital role in working with healthcare companies through the certification of high-tech shipping systems and delivering prescriptions through First-Class Mail and Priority Mail. For example, at National Postal Forum 2008, drugs. For example, one state is working with the Postal Service to offer the first program in the US to help consumers dispose of excess medicines by mail. Consumers will be able to place unused prescriptions or unwanted over-the-counter drugs in preaddressed, postage-paid pouches available at many pharmacies. The pouches are mailed to the state’s Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposal. In addition to prescriptions, the USPS is also offering a “mail it back” recycling program where consumers can mail their used electronic items such as ink cartridges, PDAs, cell phones and digital cameras. During the pilot program, consumers can pick up free prepaid mail-back envelopes at select post offices. This is an easy and convenient way to recycle items that could otherwise potentially harm the environment. A Look into the Future As we head into 2009 and beyond, mailstream technology, solutions and services will continue to bring intrinsic value to businesses, consumers and government entities. While there won’t be another Presidential Election until 2012, jurisdictions should continue to look for secure systems that can help update and streamline the voting process to operate more efficiently and The Postal Service is playing a vital role in working with healthcare companies through the certification of high-tech shipping systems and delivering prescriptions through First-Class Mail and Priority Mail. transport them to a Postal Service facility near the customer’s address. Postal Service carriers deliver the packages for the last mile to the final customer location. This presents an opportunity to have fewer trucks on the road delivering more packages, which can help major carriers save on fuel costs and benefit the environment Mail’s Role with Prescriptions Mail also brings value to the healthcare industry by serving as a secure delivery channel for prescriptions — a benefit to consumers as well. According to the latest statistics from the Agency for Healthcare Research the USPS recognized Kaiser Permanente with its Corporate Business Achievement Award for the company’s commitment to a successful business partnership. Kaiser currently processes between 35,000 to 40,000 prescriptions daily through its high-tech shipping system, of which 20,000-25,000 are shipped First-Class Mail and Priority Mail by the Postal Service. The remaining prescriptions are sent to Kaiser’s hospitals and medical offices for patient pickup. Mail is also being used to properly dispose of products that might otherwise be harmful to the environment, including prescription better serve constituents who vote by mail in all elections. E-commerce, especially during the holiday season, will also continue to drive the need for shipping solutions that offer opportunities for businesses and consumers to leverage greater savings, convenience and accessibility. Also, as the number of mature adults grow, so will the need for delivering prescriptions by mail in a secure channel. John L. Campo is Vice President, Postal Relations, for Pitney Bowes Inc. For more information, please visit www.pb.com. a | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2008 WWW.MAILINGSYSTEMSTECHNOLOGY.COM 21 http://www.pb.com http://www.MailingSystemsTechnology.com
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