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Waste Management <br />III. Operations <br />Pharmaceutical Waste <br />De anition <br />1. Pharmaceutical is a prescribed or over-the-counter human or veterinary drug, including but not limited to, a <br />drug as defined in Section 109925 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Pharmaceutical Waste is any <br />leftover or partially used in IV bags, tubing, or syringe, which contains more than trace amounts. However, <br />this does not include any pharmaceutical that is regulated pursuant to either of the following: <br />• The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA), or <br />• The Radiation Control Law <br />2. General Information <br />a. The Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Coordinator has the authority to implement the <br />emergency plan in the event of improper disposal of pharmaceutical waste. <br />b. The Hazardous Material Coordinator and Pharmacy Therapeutic Committee will determine which <br />pharmaceutical products, wastes, and materials will be classified as hazardous. These include empty <br />drug vials, syringes, IV tubing and bags. <br />a. These policies and procedures shall be reviewed, revised and/or approved by the Hazardous Waste <br />Sub -committee at least annually. <br />3. Identification <br />a. The Hazardous Material Coordinator and Pharmacy Therapeutic Committee will determine which <br />pharmaceutical products, wastes, and materials will be classified as hazardous. These include empty <br />drug vials, syringes, IV tubing and bags. <br />4. Segregation <br />b. Each department will segregate the pharmaceutical waste products from other waste products in the <br />following manner: <br />• Place the pharmaceutical waste products in a rigid container, which may be disposable, <br />reusable or recyclable. <br />• Pharmaceutical waste will NOT be removed from containers. <br />• Containers shall be leak resistant, have tight -fitting and secured covers. <br />• Containers may be any color, other than "Red" <br />• Containers must be labeled "INCINERATION ONLY" <br />• Container labels must be placed on the lid and on the sides, so that it is visible from any <br />lateral direction. <br />5. Storage and Handling <br />a. Pharmaceutical waste and sharps waste will be collected, transported and stored separately from all <br />other types of waste. It will be taken to the designated locked storage area. <br />b. Pharmaceutical Waste will be placed for storage, handling and transport in rigid containers with tight <br />fitting lids and appropriate labeling "INCINERATION ONLY". <br />c. The storage area will be clearly marked as follows: <br />"CAUTION—BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE STORAGE AREA — UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS <br />KEEP OUT"; and in Spanish "CUIDADO—ZONA DE RESIDOUS — BIOLOGICOS <br />PELIGROSOS — PROHIBIDA LA ENTRADA A PERSONAS NO AUTHORIZADAS." <br />d. Pharmaceutical Waste stored in the Biomedical waste storage area shall be checked for its integrity. If <br />a package is found not to be intact, the Environmental Services technician shall contact the unit <br />originating the waste and have it repackaged by them. <br />® Sutter Health Risk Management\2002—Page 3.2 <br />