Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Services

Any waste product that contains medicinal drugs is considered pharmaceutical waste. Examples of these waste products include liquid or tablet medication that has expired, is partially used or is no longer usable because of contamination or damage.

Waste products containing medicinal drugs must be disposed of into the blue pharmaceutical waste stream (blue lidded bins). Most medicinal products are not considered hazardous waste.

The only exceptions to this rule are those medicines that contain cytotoxic or cytostatic properties, which are disposed of into the purple waste stream (purple lidded bins). Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines are best known for their successes in cancer treatment and are therefore especially common in hospitals. The toxic nature of these drugs means they are considered hazardous waste products.

Find out more about the different waste streams in our colour coding guide.

Pharmaceutical waste must be disposed of in its original packaging. Liquids and solids must be kept in separate bins, so make sure you notify staff about these waste disposal requirements and position your pharmaceutical waste bins appropriately.

Once you have correctly segregated your pharmaceutical waste into blue and purple lidded containers, you must store these containers out of the way of staff, customers, patients and particularly children, preferably in a lockable space and kept separate from other waste streams, such as clinical and offensive waste.

Having a proper pharmaceutical waste management plan in place with Initial Medical will ensure that you have frequent pharmaceutical waste collections scheduled in accordance with tight legislation and regulations, keeping you compliant and avoid the build-up of ageing pharmaceutical waste being left on your premises.

The Pharmaceutical Journal outlines in detail the causes of medicines waste in hospitals and pharmacies in particular. The key reasons given for unnecessary medicines waste are:

• The failure to encourage and educate patients to bring their own drugs into healthcare facilities.
• High patient turnover in accident and emergency departments and the transfer of patients lead to the ordering of medicines that are left unused or become lost.
• Upon discharge, patients aren't asked enough about over-the-counter drugs they hold at home, leading to drug duplication and hoarding.
• The stock of medicines kept in pharmacies expire because of insufficient stock control.

If a particular area resonates with you, review procedures in your practice as a priority and monitor the waste disposal reduction you manage to achieve, before considering other areas.

You can also read our blog on the impact of wasting controlled medicines and the part you have to play to prevent as much wastage as possible.