By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    magnesium water can be good for your health but you can't have too much
    Is Drinking Magnesium Water Good for Your Health?
    October 17, 2023
    common misconseptions about brain injuries
    4 Common Myths and Misunderstandings About Brain Injuries
    February 5, 2023
    get a career in medical device sales
    What Are the Benefits of Attending Medical Sales College?
    April 10, 2023
    Latest News
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Elective Coronary Stenting: A Case in Context
    August 3, 2011
    PSA screening: Does It or Doesn’t It?
    March 16, 2012
    Rick Perry Needs To Make Up His Mind
    September 19, 2011
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Keys To Proper Disposal Of Pharmaceutical Waste
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health Reform > Keys To Proper Disposal Of Pharmaceutical Waste
Health Reform

Keys To Proper Disposal Of Pharmaceutical Waste

emilyfolk
emilyfolk
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

 

Contents
Basics of Disposing Pharmaceutical WastePharmaceutical Waste Disposal StrategiesEnsuring Proper Pharmaceutical Waste DisposalConclusion

Healthcare facilities, like hospitals and clinics, as well as reverse distributors, need to follow specific guidelines when they dispose of pharmaceutical waste. If they don’t, they run the risk of fines or other punishment.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the primary law that governs the disposal of pharmaceutical waste in the United States. Failure to comply with the RCRA can mean exorbitant fines — up to $74,552 per day, per violation. If your pharmaceutical waste disposal program isn’t compliant over even a short period, it can result in severe fines. Compliance is especially important for large, multi-enterprise organizations.

Here are critical points about pharmaceutical waste disposal organizations should know if they want to remain RCRA-compliant.

More Read

The Amazing Journey of the Lowly Aspirin
Pharmacy Benefit Managers vs Physicians: Let the Games Begin!
Why Telehealth of Tomorrow Belongs in Your Marketing Plan Today
“Closing Loopholes” Could be a Form of Health Care Reform
Using Social Media to Promote Your Healthcare Events

Basics of Disposing Pharmaceutical Waste

The RCRA governs almost all pharmaceutical waste. You must dispose of operational by-products in a safe and eco-friendly manner.

The first step to removing any kind of pharmaceutical waste is knowing how to separate the different types. Different kinds of waste require different disposal methods. Proper containers can prevent leaks and puncturing.

There are several different categories of pharmaceutical waste. Each will need disposed of in separate containers. These categories include:

  • Biohazardous waste
  • Hazardous waste
  • Chemotherapy waste
  • Controlled substances

Non-DEA, non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste will likely make up the bulk of your output.

In some specific cases, disposable medical equipment that came in contact with a certain kind of waste, such as medical vials, syringes and IV tubes, should be disposed of in the same manner as the waste. Even doctors and nurses should get rid of gloves used during chemotherapy administration in a container explicitly marked for harmful waste.

Needles and other sharp objects need to be stored in a heavy-duty plastic container graded for sharp objects.

You will need to dispose of any controlled substance according to DEA regulations. A licensed reverse distributor will be equipped to accept and dispose of controlled substances properly. In some cases, you can return these substances to the manufacturer.

All waste will need to be placed in an appropriately-marked container, even if it is non-DEA and non-hazardous. These methods ensure you’ll properly dispose of waste in a way that meets environmental regulations.

Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Strategies

Typically, pharmacy waste is disposed of, recycled or destroyed if some of the materials contain confidential information. How the waste is destroyed or disposed of varies on the type and who’s recycling it.

The waste can be sent to a landfill, incinerated, permanently sealed within a container or returned to the manufacturer. Other methods, like waste-to-energy plants, safely dispose of pharmaceutical waste while generating energy.

If you want to dispose of pharmaceutical waste in the most environmentally-friendly or sustainable way, there are options available. Research what’s possible with the type of waste you create.

One of the best strategies is to contract with a licensed biomedical disposal service. The risks for noncompliance with the RCRA are high, and the act itself is a complicated piece of legislation with many provisions for different substances. An expert will understand what’s required to stay compliant with the law.

Ensuring Proper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal

Healthcare facilities are bound by pharmaceutical waste disposal standards and guidelines. Facilities must follow these guidelines carefully if they don’t want to risk noncompliance and eventual fines.

Conclusion

If you want to ensure operations fall within the RCRA, work with a service that will dispose of your pharmaceutical waste. There are several ways you can get rid of operational byproduct. Research options available and select one that works best for your organization. It’s possible to remove pharmaceutical waste in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.

TAGGED:pharmapharmaceuticalpharmaceutical wastepharmaceuticalswellness
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025
a woman giving a key
How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
Health
July 16, 2025
a woman with kinesio tapes on her back arm
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

Down, Down, Down: Avoidable Errors, Uninsurance, Cost Inflation

December 9, 2014

Reducing Health Care Costs: Let’s Try What Has Worked

October 16, 2013

Vermont Legislature Gets Closer to Single Payer Care Delivery

April 28, 2011

Two Visions for Health Reform

March 2, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?