Healthcare facilities are faced with two key challenges related to pharmaceutical waste management, according to an article on the Pharmacy Practical News website.
The first is the proper disposal of drugs, particularly if they are deemed hazardous, and the second is the safe and secure disposal of unused controlled substances—an effort that can contribute to the national goal of addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic.
With a team approach and careful planning, both of these challenges can be met.
Healthcare facilities are responsible for determining which substances are considered hazardous waste. Managing this list and appropriate disposal can become complicated, particularly when medications are given more than one designation, such as hazardous and a controlled substance, or hazardous and radioactive, the article said.
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