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Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Requirements
Pharmaceutical waste is one of the most heavily regulated categories of healthcare waste, subject to RCRA, DEA, and state regulations simultaneously. Understanding the classification of your pharmaceutical waste is the first step to compliance.
Need Compliant Medical Waste Disposal?
MedWaste Solution serves healthcare facilities across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Licensed, insured, and fully compliant with all federal and state regulations.
Pharmaceutical Waste Classification
The 2019 EPA Healthcare Waste Rule
EPA’s 2019 rule streamlined RCRA requirements for healthcare facilities by:
— Allowing very small quantity generators (VSQGs) to send RCRA hazardous pharmaceutical waste to LQG facilities under common ownership
— Allowing limited sewering of certain non-hazardous pharmaceuticals
— Clarifying requirements for reverse distributors
Best Practices
- Segregate pharmaceutical waste into separate containers by category
- Label containers with waste type, start date, and generator info
- Track generation quantities to maintain accurate generator status
- Use a licensed pharmaceutical waste disposal vendor with proper DEA authorization
- Retain manifests and certificates of destruction for 3+ years
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pharmaceutical waste?
Pharmaceutical waste includes expired, unused, contaminated, or leftover medications and drugs from healthcare facilities. It encompasses non-hazardous meds, RCRA-listed hazardous pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, and OTC drugs.
How is pharmaceutical waste classified?
Pharmaceutical waste is classified as: (1) RCRA hazardous waste (P-listed, U-listed, or characteristic), (2) non-RCRA hazardous waste (state-regulated), (3) controlled substances (DEA-regulated), and (4) non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste. Each category has different disposal requirements.
Can pharmaceuticals be flushed down the drain?
Only in very limited circumstances. The EPA allows some non-hazardous pharmaceuticals to be discarded via drain/sewage under the 2019 Healthcare Waste Rule. Hazardous pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, and most solid medications may not be flushed or sewered.
What is a pharmaceutical waste manifest?
RCRA hazardous pharmaceutical waste requires a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest (EPA Form 8700-22) for transport. The manifest tracks the waste from generator to disposal facility and must be retained for 3 years.
How should non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste be disposed of?
Non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste (non-controlled, non-RCRA) should be disposed of through a licensed pharmaceutical waste disposal company or returned through a DEA-authorized reverse distributor. It should never be mixed with sharps, red bag waste, or regular trash.
Need Compliant Medical Waste Disposal?
MedWaste Solution serves healthcare facilities across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Licensed, insured, and fully compliant with all federal and state regulations.
