According to the Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, the oldest written version of the saying “what you don’t know can’t hurt you” comes from 1576, in Petit Palace by G. Pettie. “So long as I know it not, it hurteth me not.” More recent practical experience, as well as empirical research, suggests the opposite. For example, the consequences of improper pharmaceutical waste disposal are vast and alarming, with huge hazard potential if it causes contamination of water supplies for humans and wildlife. Non-biodegradable antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs that end up in sewage systems have the potential to kill bacteria required for sewage treatment as well as leaching into ground waters for treatment in POTW’s (publicly owned treatment works). Improper destruction or disposal of pharmaceuticals promotes illegal activities such as resale or diversion of such drugs.
A healthcare facility, pharmacy, veterinary hospital, long term care facility, laboratory, or anyone else dealing with potentially hazardous pharmaceuticals can face loss of reputation and even licensing in the event of improper pharmaceutical waste disposal.
Recently, a Midwest hospital was fined $360,000 for pharmaceutical waste violations. Among the infractions included in this particular fine was failure to provide HAZMAT waste training for personnel, failure to properly identify hazardous waste, improperly recording, marking, and labeling of HAZMAT waste.
EPA fines for non-compliance in pharmaceutical waste disposal range in thousands of dollars per violation, per day. The facility that breaks transportation rules when it comes to pharmaceutical waste can be fined upwards of $15,000 per violation by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
With increasing oversight from regulatory agencies, every facility that disposes pharmaceuticals, including controlled substances to OTC medications, must meet strict handling and disposal mandates. RP Returns and its network of expert partners assists customers – from a remote retail pharmacy to the largest medical network – with safe, efficient and compliant solutions for product evaluation leading to disposal or credit of outdated or unwanted pharmaceutical drug products.
RP Returns takes pride in delivering compliant “tools” to healthcare providers and administrators to deal with complex regulatory issues concerning management of pharmaceutical waste streams.
Boomerang PAK for non-hazardous DEA pharmaceuticals and DEA Controlled Substances CII – CV
Since 2007 RP Returns has been the leader in making it easy to do business with the reverse distributor, offering customized reporting, highly responsive pick-ups, no minimum fees, uncomplicated contracts or no contracts at all at very competitive prices.
Call 1-888-361-8856 to see what RP Returns can do for you.