Pharmaceutical Waste Reduction Strategies

Use alternate packaging

Specialty packaging for drugs which are not often used are replaced with an alternative packaging, which both allows for proper administration of the drug and the flexibility to use that drug elsewhere if needed before expiration.

Reduces Amount: Yes
Reduces Toxicity: No

Examples of Applying this Strategy

Generic Drug: Epinephrine

Hennepin County Medical Center replaced specialty epinephrine intracardiac syringes with a more commonly used 100 (mcg/ml) syringe and an 18-gauge, 3 inch needle. This change eliminated 13 pounds of hazardous waste per year and 7.5 pounds of dual waste per year, amounting to $900.

Proprietary Drug(s): Epinephrine
Delivery Method(s): Injectable

For more information:

http://www.mntap.umn.edu/health/resources/94FS.PharmWaste.pdf

MnTAP
200 Oak Street SE, Sutie 350
Minneapolis, MN, 55455-2008

Phone: (612) 624-1300
Fax: (612) 624-3370

PVC-free IV bags weigh one-third less than those made of PVC bags. At one healthcare facility, switching to PVC-free IV bags was estimated to save $165 per drum.


Delivery Method(s): Intravenous (IV)

For more information:

http://www.mntap.umn.edu/health/resources/94FS.PharmWaste.pdf

MnTAP
200 Oak Street SE, Sutie 350
Minneapolis, MN 55455-2008

Phone: (612) 624-1300
Fax: (612) 624-3370

©2015 Healthcare Environmental Resource Center
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