Summary
Highlights
Proper disposal of expired, deteriorated, contaminated, or dropped medications is crucial. Never flush drugs down the toilet. Pharmacies can return damaged products for credit, ensuring items are appropriately labeled as 'expired drugs - do not use' or 'returned for store credit - do not use'.
Dropped pills should be treated as tainted and never given to patients. They must be swept up promptly and packaged for store credit or proper disposal.
Some medications are classified as hazardous, requiring special handling and disposal methods. These are categorized into P-listed (acutely hazardous, e.g., epinephrine, nicotine), D-listed (toxic, ignitable, corrosive, or reactive, e.g., Albuterol inhalers), and U-listed (toxic chemotherapy drugs, e.g., cyclophosphamide). Pharmacies must identify and separate these medications based on their hazard type.
Disposal methods vary; for example, Albuterol inhalers might be placed in specifically colored bins indicating their ignitable nature. The disposal of waste must be witnessed by two pharmacists or nurses to ensure pharmaceuticals are rendered non-retrievable.
Pharmacy technicians must be trained to handle robbery and theft. In case of theft, stay calm and report it immediately to authorities and the DEA, especially if narcotics are stolen. Employees who steal medication face firing and criminal charges. Always refer to the pharmacy security manual for detailed protocols during and after a robbery, covering employee safety, law enforcement contact, evidence preservation, and communication with patients.