What Is Pharmaceutical Waste
Pharmaceutical waste is any waste which contains medicinal drugs — that are NOT controlled substances— that are expired, unused, contaminated, damaged or no longer needed.
• Tablets and capsules
• Medicinal syrups, lozenges, or gums
• Medicinal creams, ointments, gels
• Vaccines
• Vitamins
• Inhalers
• Dermal patches
• Multi-dose viles with drug remaining
• Packaging that contained warfarin (Coumadin) or nicotine
• IV bags or turn with residual pharmaceutical liquids such as antibiotics or TPN with silver
How to Prepare Pharmaceutical Waste For Disposal
• All medications need to be out of their original containers and in a sealable, leak proof bag. Do not place bottles in the waste bin.
• This includes medication in blister packs, bottles and pouches.
• Creams, gels, ointments and inhalers can stay in their original container but need to be placed in a resealable, leak proof bag.
• All medication can be disposed of using the same bag.
• Empty medication bottles can be placed in the blue bin to the right for recycling.
Do not deposit pill bottles. Contents of disposal bin is incinerated
What is NOT ACCEPTED
• Controlled substances (narcotics)
• Anything with needles / sharps
• Thermometers
• Bloody or infectious waste
• Medication from a business or clinic
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Aerosol cans