Hazardous, Non-DEA Pharmaceutical Waste

Hazardous, non-Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) pharmaceutical wastes are considered “P-listed” drugs. P-listed medications are those that pose a threat to the environment by contaminating fresh water.

P-listed waste must be disposed of with the correct paperwork, tracking, weighing and documentation of the amount of P-listed waste generated every month. Some examples of P-listed drugs include:

  • Warfarin
  • Nicotine patches, lozenges or gum
  • Physostigmine, physostigmine salicylate
  • Arsenic trioxide
  • Epinephrine (including EpiPen)
  • Phentermine

Containers holding P-listed waste are considered hazardous, which is why proper labeling, maintaining hazardous waste shipping manifests and other documentation is a requirement, not an option. Separate hazardous waste storage areas should be designated for P-listed waste so you can easily track the amount of waste you generate.

These hazardous waste pharmaceuticals should be placed in a closed container that clearly identifies it as hazardous waste. The container should remain closed unless a hazardous waste item is being placed inside. The container should be large enough to hold the hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and should be appropriate for the type of hazardous waste.

P-listed waste has very restrictive guidelines for disposal. If even one P-listed waste is included in a container with other wastes, the whole container must be treated as though it were P-listed.

Healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing facilities, and clinics are the largest bulk users of medications. Disposing of this waste can be confusing for any of these facilities, which is why Red Bags is here to help healthcare facilities, pharmacies, and other generators of P-listed waste properly handle and dispose of it in a manner that is compliant and safe.

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