Pharmaceutical Waste Reduction Strategies

Relabel for home use

Medications are either prelabeled or relabeled for a patient to take home and use after being discharged from the facility. This strategy could apply to any prescription medication, but particularly to inhalers, creams, ointments, ear drops, antibiotics and sometimes insulin.

Examples of Applying this Strategy

Generic Drug: Insulin Insulin pens and cartridges can be relabeled and sent home with discharged patients for future use, eliminating the need to dispose of the partially used drug. See page 52 Proprietary Drug(s): Humulin Delivery Method(s): Injectable For more information: Smith, Charlotte, Pines, Eydie et al. "Managing Pharmaceutical Waste: A 10-Step Blueprint for Healthcare Facilities In the United States." Practice Greenhealth, 2008. Healthcare Environmental Resource Center Phone: (734) 995-7989

Generic Drug: Albuterol Inhalers were sent home with patients instead of disposing them at discharge. This decreased the amount of waste the hospital disposes, increased patient satisfaction, increased patient adherence to medication regimen and reduced readmissions to the hospital. Proprietary Drug(s): Ventolin, Proventil, AccuNeb, Vospire, ProAir Delivery Method(s): Inhalation For more information: Stouffer, Randi. "Inhaler Study Completed at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI." April 2013. Randi Stouffer 700 S. Park St. Madison, WI 53715 Phone: (608) 251-6100 Email: Randi_stouffer@ssmhc.com

Generic Drug: Budesonide/Formoterol Inhalers were sent home with patients instead of disposing them at discharge. This decreased the amount of waste the hospital disposes, increased patient satisfaction, increased patient adherence to medication regimen and reduced readmissions to the hospital. Proprietary Drug(s): Symbicort Delivery Method(s): Inhalation For more information: Stouffer, Randi. "Inhaler Study Completed at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI." April 2013. Randi Stouffer 700 S. Park St. Madison, WI 53715 Phone: (608) 251-6100 Email: Randi_stouffer@ssmhc.com

Generic Drug: Tiotropium Inhalers were sent home with patients instead of disposing them at discharge. This decreased the amount of waste the hospital disposes, increased patient satisfaction, increased patient adherence to medication regimen and reduced readmissions to the hospital. Proprietary Drug(s): Spiriva Delivery Method(s): Inhalation For more information: Stouffer, Randi. "Inhaler Study Completed at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI." April 2013. Randi Stouffer 700 S. Park St. Madison, WI 53715 Phone: (608) 251-6100 Email: Randi_stouffer@ssmhc.com

Generic Drug: Albuterol/Ipratropium Inhalers were sent home with patients instead of disposing them at discharge. This decreased the amount of waste the hospital disposes, increased patient satisfaction, increased patient adherence to medication regimen and reduced readmissions to the hospital. Proprietary Drug(s): Combivent Delivery Method(s): Inhalation For more information: Stouffer, Randi. "Inhaler Study Completed at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI." April 2013. Randi Stouffer 700 S. Park St. Madison, WI 53715 Phone: (608) 251-6100 Email: Randi_stouffer@ssmhc.com

Generic Drug: Beclomethasone Inhalers were sent home with patients instead of disposing them at discharge. This decreased the amount of waste the hospital disposes, increased patient satisfaction, increased patient adherence to medication regimen and reduced readmissions to the hospital. Proprietary Drug(s): Qvar Delivery Method(s): Inhalation For more information: Stouffer, Randi. "Inhaler Study Completed at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI." April 2013. Randi Stouffer 700 S. Park St. Madison, WI 53715 Phone: (608) 251-6100 Email: Randi_stouffer@ssmhc.com

Generic Drug: Flucticasone/Salmeterol Inhalers were sent home with patients instead of disposing them at discharge. This decreased the amount of waste the hospital disposes, increased patient satisfaction, increased patient adherence to medication regimen and reduced readmissions to the hospital. Proprietary Drug(s): Advair Delivery Method(s): Inhalation For more information: Stouffer, Randi. "Inhaler Study Completed at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI." April 2013. Randi Stouffer 700 S. Park St. Madison, WI 53715 Phone: (608) 251-6100 Email: Randi_stouffer@ssmhc.com