What Regulations Govern Medication Waste in Dentistry?

Many dentists will agree that one of the most challenging things for them to keep up with is maintaining full compliance to all regulations regarding the medication waste in dentistry.  Dental offices and oral surgeons need to use a variety of medications in the course of their treatments such as …

Rx Destroyer™ Offers a Drug Mail Back Program

C2R Global Manufacturing, Inc. focuses on meeting the needs of our customers with a drug mail back disposal program that is easy to use and compliant to federal regulations. Our wide selection of drug disposal containers are available for controlled and non-controlled medications. Rx Destroyer can handle both solid and …

Controlled Substance Destruction Matters: Here’s Why

When disposing of or destroying unused controlled substances, the method of controlled substance destruction matters for a couple of especially important reasons. Prior to regulations issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, flushing unused or expired medications down the drain was a typical practice …

Why Do We Care About Pharmaceutical Waste Compliance?

  There are many reasons why everyone should be concerned about pharmaceutical waste and compliance to safe disposal practices. Improper disposal of pharmaceutical waste causes serious contamination to the environment primarily showing up in water supplies.  With the current opioid epidemic in the United States, improper disposal of controlled substances …

Proud to Participate in the ONDCP Drug Disposal Conference

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) works to reduce drug use, abuse, and the consequences associated with drug diversion as part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States. The ONDCP is tasked with leading, coordinating, developing, implementing, and assessing the U.S. drug policy.  The …

Turnkey Solutions for Compliant Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal

It is now more important than ever before for hospitals and all healthcare facilities to follow a strict medication waste disposal policy compliant to all federal regulations. There are hefty fines facing hospitals and healthcare facilities that violate DEA Code of Federal Regulations, CFR 21 as outlined in SUBCHAPTER I, …

Best Practices for Medical Waste Segregation Management Part IV: Conclusion

While every healthcare facility recognizes the importance of medical waste segregation and proper disposal, the challenges facing busy or understaffed healthcare facilities allow for unsafe, noncompliant practices to continue.  Prior to the most recent DEA Code of Federal Regulations, CFR 21 effective September of 2014, and the EPA 40 CFR …

Best Practices for Medical Waste Segregation Management Part III: Challenges

All healthcare facilities must have optimal policies and procedures in place for the effective segregation and disposal of medical waste.  There are many contributing factors that make safe and compliant medical waste disposal a challenge in busy, healthcare facilities. Due to the enormity and the plethora of medical waste generated …

Best Practices for Medical Waste Segregation Management Part II: Methodology

There are many large healthcare systems with robust waste management programs across the United States.  Individual facilities may have different pharmaceutical waste disposal practices for various types of medical waste due to unique facility policies, procedures, and state regulations.  Regardless of facility or state regulations, it is helpful to segregate …

Best Practices for Medical Waste Segregation Management: Introduction

Medical waste disposal practices are regulated by the federal government under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Medical waste disposal regulations may vary from state to state although they must be at least as stringent as federal regulations. Additionally, each healthcare institution may institute their …

Controlled Substance Disposal Policy and Procedures

Controlled Substance Disposal Policy and Procedures An effective controlled substance disposal policy is mandatory to protect healthcare workers, patients and medical facilities. Healthcare workers are at an increased risk for drug diversion, a serious epidemic in the United States. Drug diversion in hospitals and healthcare facilities puts patients at risk …

Pharmaceutical Waste in Long Term Care

Senior care nurses have busy workdays caring for elderly residents and maintaining proper records.  Maintaining a proper chain of custody of pharmaceuticals, especially controlled substances, is one of the most important tasks of nurses in any environment, including long term care (LTC).  It is critical to dispose of pharmaceuticals properly …

EMS and Pharmaceutical Waste

Emergency medical services (EMS) providers such as ambulance agencies have a great responsibility to take quick action during times of medical emergency.  This may include administering a controlled substance in the course of providing emergency medical care to save a life.  While administering emergency medication is part of the job, …

The DEA and Controlled Substance Waste

The Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, is responsible for governing the regulations related to controlled substance (CS) disposal by ultimate users and registrants.  21 Code of Federal Regulations, CFR, outlines the rules for compliant CS waste procedures in 21 CFR Parts: 1300, 1301, 1304, 1305,1307, and 1317.  Institutions both public and …

CS Chain of Custody: Ensuring That Waste Is Not the Weakest Link

Healthcare providers are faced with unique challenges when it comes to handling and disposing of pharmaceutical waste. Nurses and healthcare workers handling controlled substances have responsibilities under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) including maintaining a properly documented chain of custody.  The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is tasked with enforcing the …

Are All Chemotherapy Agents Classified as Pharmaceutical Waste?

Disposing of chemotherapy waste raises a lot of questions even for those experienced in the industry. Questions always arise as to whether chemotherapy waste is considered hazardous waste or medical waste. With chemotherapy agents, there is not just one waste stream. There are chemotherapy agents classified as pharmaceutical waste and …

What Are the Implications for CS Waste in Medical Research

Pharmaceuticals and controlled substances are often used in medical research laboratories, requiring proper controls and disposal methods. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued Code of Federal Regulations regarding compliance to pharmaceutical waste disposal. These regulations apply to pharmaceutical waste from any industry including …

CS Waste in Narcotic Treatment Programs

Controlled substances (CS) used in health care systems and narcotic treatment programs pose a serious risk for drug diversion.  CS diversion causes harm to the diverter and raises serious liability issues to the organization which can face significant fines for noncompliance to DEA drug disposal regulations.  Drug diversion leads to …

Medication Diversion in Correctional Facilities

Medication Diversion in Correctional Facilities August 7, 2023 | Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Medication diversion in correctional facilities has become a significant concern, contributing to the overall opioid epidemic in the United States. With opioid overdose on the rise, it is crucial to address the issue of diversion within jails and …

Effective Jail Medication Administration Policy Starts in the Med Room

Many unique challenges face nurses working in correctional facilities with medication administration identified as a specialized field in correctional nursing. Many nurses who are new to working in a jail or correctional facility setting are unprepared for the breadth and scope of their responsibilities in managing medication delivery, administration and …

Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance, Diversion Investigations, and Litigation

Summary: GTC Consulting CEO Ben Mink joins us on this episode of the Pharmacy Podcast Nation to discussion Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance, Diversion Investigations, and Litigation Support sponsored by Rx Destroyer ™ which provides turnkey solutions for pharmaceutical waste disposal to a wide range of industries and facility types.

Rx Destroyer™ Partners with GTC Consulting for DEA Compliance

Total Turnkey Solutions for DEA Compliant Drug Disposal   Download PDF     Burlington, WI- Sep 1, 2020- PressWire C2R Global Manufacturing, Inc announces their alliance with GTC Consulting, bringing a new level of support for DEA compliant drug disposal systems. GTC Consulting aligns with C2R Global Manufacturing, Inc. commitment …

Effective Pharmaceutical Waste Segregation at Source

Hospitals, healthcare facilities of all types, and even veterinary clinics that manage pharmaceuticals must have a plan for proper waste disposal that meets all regulatory concerns.   The EPA and the DEA regulate the proper handling of pharmaceutical waste on the federal level, although each facility is responsible for meeting all …

Proper Drug Disposal: Pennsylvania’s Attorney General’s Offices Alan McGill – PPN Episode 938

Summary:

Alan McGill is a senior supervisory special agent at the Attorney General’s Office in Pennsylvania, but he started in the Bureau of Narcotic Investigations. He spent 10 years doing undercover work which consisted of getting to know people and buying various drugs off the street. Now he educates health associates and organizations in Pennsylvania on how medications are diverted out of their facility. He then trains them how to prevent that type of diversion as well as safe drug storage and disposal.

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Proper Drug Disposal is Paramount: Rx Destroyer Podcast – PPN Episode 881

Summary:

Listen in with Dr.Frank Breve, PharmD, MBA, President and CEO at Opioid Consulting Educational Solutions, as he covers Medication Disposal Best Practices. There is a lot of pressure on pharmacists to get medications out to patients but not enough on the severity of consequences if not disposed of properly.

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40 CFR and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

40 CFR and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act September 6, 2023 | Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Over the past couple of decades, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been raising awareness about the presence of pharmaceuticals in our drinking water and the need for proper disposal. Pharmacies and hospitals often …

What Is Considered Non-Regulated Pharmaceutical Waste?

What is Considered Non-Regulated Pharmaceutical Waste? November 13, 2023 | Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal What is Pharmaceutical Waste? Pharmaceutical waste refers to any unused, expired, or contaminated medications that need to be properly disposed of to prevent harm to the environment and ensure public safety. It includes various types of pharmaceutical …

The Major types of Medical Waste You Should Be Aware of

The Major types of Medical Waste You Should Be Aware of October 19, 2023 | Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal The Major types of Medical Waste You Should Be Aware of The proper disposal of medical waste poses significant challenges for healthcare providers today. It is crucial to meet federal regulations, ensure …

Financial Considerations for an Effective CS Waste Program

effective cs waste program

Properly disposing of expired medications is the main focus of any controlled substance (CS) waste program.  Hospitals must have policies and procedures in place for the safe management and disposal of pharmaceutical waste for expired, discontinued or leftover medications.  It is estimated that hospitals in the U.S. produce nearly 5.9 billion tons of medical waste each year.

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USP General Chapter <800> Compliance

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a non-profit, private organization with standards enforced throughout various regulatory agencies such as individual state’s Boards of Pharmacy and the Joint Commission.  The USP’s latest chapter on managing hazardous drugs in the healthcare industry, USP<800>, provides comprehensive guidelines on managing the entire life cycle …

Challenges Facing Pharmaceutical Waste Management in Healthcare

Challenges Facing Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal December 4, 2023 | Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal For over a decade, the healthcare industry has implemented regulations concerning the management of pharmaceutical waste. These regulations tend to vary significantly from one state to another, causing a substantial impact on compliance. In the midst of demanding …

Compliant Portable Drug Disposal System

Properly disposing of pharmaceutical waste including controlled substances is critical to prevent environmental contamination and serious safety risks to health care workers and patients.  Hospitals and long-term care facilities are the largest contributors to improper pharmaceutical waste disposal and drug diversion.  It is estimated that more than 130 people die …

Best Practices for CS Waste in ER Setting: CSDPP Core Elements

Drug diversion in health care systems is a serious issue in both the United States and Canada.  According to the Society of Hospital Medicine, the US and Canada are the two highest consumers of opioids worldwide per-capita.  Opioids and other controlled substances are diverted from healthcare facilities for nonmedical use …

Does Your CS Waste Program Meet Joint Commission Requirements?

The Joint Commission is an independent, nonprofit organization that was founded in 1951 with a focus on continually improving health care for the public.  The Joint Commission is the oldest and largest standards-setting, accrediting body in health care in the United States.  Approximately 4,500 general, long-term acute, rehabilitation, children’s, psychiatric …

Drug Diversion Strategies: How Has Covid-19 Affected Addiction?

The epidemic of substance abuse and drug overdose deaths in the U.S. is a national health emergency.  People who suffer from drug addiction as well as people who smoke, vape or use opioids or methamphetamine are at an even greater risk during the novel Coronavirus pandemic.  Dr. Nora Volkow is …

CS Waste Safety and Healthcare Staff

It is critical for healthcare facilities such as long term care facilities and hospitals to properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste for controlled substance waste safety. The improper disposal of medications and controlled substances leads to environmental contamination and drug diversion.  Drug diversion in hospitals is a serious risk for healthcare …

Proper Documentation of CS Waste Program

A controlled substance (CS) waste program which meets DEA compliance must adhere to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 21, 40 and 42 pertaining to the regulations for drug waste disposal.  Each registrant, facility, distributor and reverse distributor must ensure that they meet all facility, local, tribal, state and federal …

Legal Implications of an Inadequate CS Waste Program

It is important for all healthcare facilities to follow a proper controlled substance (CS) waste program to prevent drug diversion and environmental contamination.  Drugs defined as controlled substances are proven to have the potential for dependence or abuse and are regulated by the DEA with the Controlled Substances Act.  This …

DEA Medication Disposal Compliance: What’s the Real Cost?

The laws under compliant DEA medication disposal regulations have changed considerably in recent years.  In August of 2019, 40 CFR, the Code of Federal Regulations, went into effect which amends the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, RCRA.  Prior to the 2019, 40 CFR ruling, flushing of hazardous pharmaceutical waste down …

Are You Compliant with FDA Medication Disposal?

Educating medical staff in various healthcare facilities and settings is critical for FDA medication disposal compliance.  All too often, healthcare workers are not trained on the proper procedures for disposing of pharmaceuticals and simply throw leftover medications in the trash or are told to flush down a drain.  There are …

Regulated Medical Waste Disposal: Drugs Included

Disposing of medical waste requires proper methods of destruction to meet regulations with the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, and Environmental Protection Agency, EPA.  Managing pharmaceutical waste for proper and regulated disposal can be confusing as facilities must follow all federal, state, local and tribal regulations in addition to specific policies …

An Effective Drug Diversion Prevention Policy

Drug diversion in the healthcare system leads to serious safety issues to both the patients and health care workers as well as placing significant liability on the facility. Diversion of controlled substances (CS) in health care settings creates multiple victims, leading to inadequate documentation of a patient’s care, inadequate pain …

Code of Federal Regulations Title 40 : Do You have To Comply?

The Code of Federal Regulations Title 40 is the section of the CFR that addresses the Environmental Protection Association’s mission of protecting the environment and human health.  Parts of CFR 40 which relate to pharmaceutical hazardous waste include parts 262, 262, 264, 265, 266, 268, 270, and 273, the Management …

CS Waste in the OR Setting

    Pharmaceutical waste management in hospital ORs is a challenging and complex topic that requires careful planning, procedures and compliance to many regulations.  Managing pharmaceutical waste in hospitals is critical to prevent drug diversion, environmental contamination and to protect staff and patient safety. There are three key issues to …

CS Waste Compliance: Easier Said than Done

The need for health care facilities to manage their controlled substance waste with compliance to DEA regulations has never been greater.  With heightened awareness to the opioid epidemic and drug diversion, properly disposing of controlled substance (CS) waste effectively and safely is critical.  Many health care facilities find CS waste …

CBC NEWS: Researchers finding excreted drugs in drinking water

If we’re taking it, we’re also drinking it: painkillers, blood thinners, hormones, chemotherapy agents, even cocaine and amphetamines. Whatever goes into us, also comes out of us, through our own biological effluent, every time we flush the toilet. The excreted drugs pass right through most sewage treatment processes and end …