Disposing Of Pharmaceutical Waste: Some Progress

In 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seemed to be on the road to providing some much-needed clarity to hospitals and other medical facilities concerning the disposal of pharmaceuticals by proposing that hazardous waste pharmaceuticals be handled as Universal Wastes (a simpler regulatory regime that would improve proper disposal). Five years later, new waste management standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals (albeit only from health care facilities) are under development, with a proposal anticipated to be published for public comment in August 2013. Meanwhile, in the absence of clear federal guidance, states have adopted a variety of policies; for example, Kansas, Florida and Michigan require some form of best management practices for nonhazardous pharmaceuticals (through exemptions, policies or guidance and with differences in the details).