What is Considered Pharmaceutical Waste?

Environment Services

 Proper pharmaceutical waste management is critical for any business, including pharmacies, outpatient centers, cancer centers, independent physician practices, and hospitals. Healthcare practitioners must be able to classify medications outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically differentiating between hazardous and non-hazardous pharmaceuticals, as part of the pharmaceutical waste management process.


Pharmaceutical waste is described as any pharmaceutical or drug that has expired, is unused, or remains after a medical treatment or surgical procedure. It also includes medications that have been prescribed to patients and must be appropriately disposed of. Pharmaceuticals can comprise both prescription pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter treatments. In reality, sharps and diabetic test strips might be considered pharmaceutical waste.
  • Certain nutritional supplements and over-the-counter medications
  • Compound medicines.
  • Prescription drugs
  • Some homeopathic medications.
Pharmaceutical waste requires special handling since it poses a threat to both the environment and human safety and health. This is due to the chemicals and ingredients included in many medications and drugs, whether over-the-counter or prescribed. Pharmaceuticals may not be "dumped" in sewers, toilets, or drains.

How to Determine If Pharmaceutical Waste Is Hazardous?
One of the most effective ways to identify whether pharmaceutical waste is hazardous is to be familiar with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) hazardous waste designations and characteristics. Detailed information about such identification can be found here.

A designated hazardous waste is one whose chemical name or medicinal constituents are on the EPA's F, K, P, or U lists. In the healthcare industry, P- and U-listed hazardous wastes are commonly encountered in commercial-grade formulations. Most P-listed products indicate acute hazardous waste from a discarded or commercial chemical product. The U-listed wastes are usually hazardous wastes resulting from discarded commercial chemical goods, such as those found in pharmaceuticals.

A variety of medications are classified based on their potential for toxicity, corrosivity, ignitability, or reactivity to other substances or agents. Some states include oxidizers and lethality in their hazardous waste characteristic classifications. Chemotherapy waste is often classified as hazardous owing to its components.

Regarding Chemotherapeutic Waste
Chemotherapy waste must be treated cautiously due to its propensity to destroy cellular structures. RCRA rules give useful information for identifying and classifying such garbage. Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations contains further information on hazardous waste requirements for pharmaceutical wastes such as chemotherapeutic waste.

chemotherapeutic waste is often classified as either trace or bulk chemotherapeutic waste. Trace chemotherapy waste is typically found in IV tubing, bags, or vials containing chemotherapy drugs. However, vials or containers containing material from the U-listed medication list can be considered "empty" if residues are less than 3% (see section 261.7, CFR chapter 40).

Trihaz Solutions Encourages Safe Pharmaceutical Waste Management
Accurate recognition, segregation, and disposal of pharmaceutical pharmaceuticals are critical for protecting human health and the environment. Regardless of the nature or scale of the institution, any organization that uses, administers, or deals with pharmaceuticals and its waste must ensure proper handling and disposal.

Trihaz Solutions offers tools and help to any facility that handles pharmaceutical waste, emphasizing the cradle-to-grave approach. Compliance with pharmaceutical waste management is not only ethical but also legally required. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your pharmaceutical waste issues or operations.
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