Pharmaceutical Waste Reduction Strategies
Analyze inventory and modify purchasing
Demand for pharmaceuticals and current inventory is analyzed with usage reports, especially from a computerized inventory management system, which can track use and wastes, among other functions. The analysis is used to determine appropriate dosages to be purchased and to modify orders. A facility may choose to switch to premixed products, which have a longer shelf life than reconstituted products.
Examples of Applying this Strategy
Tri-County hospital in Minnesota found that 157 pharmaceuticals were being purchased in multiple dose containers and were accounting for 3% of the facility's reverse distribution returns, amounting to $1450 per year. For more information: http://www.mntap.umn.edu/health/resources/94FS.PharmWaste.pdf MnTAP |
| Generic Drug: Agatroban
The authors suggest ordering ready-to-use products instead of products that need to be reconstituted. For the 20 patients in their study, this could result in an overall reduction in total cost of waste of approximately $170,000 and an absolute reduction in the percentage of the total drug cost wasted of at least an estimated 29%. If extrapolated to the total number of patients receiving argatroban throughout the year (N = 81), overall total costs would be reduced by approximately $700,000. Proprietary Drug(s): Agatroban For more information: Jennifer Lose, PharmD, BCPS |
The Center for Environmental Information recommends that health care facilities review pharmaceutical use and modify purchasing practices accordingly. Specific recommendations include buying less of pharmaceuticals which commonly expire before use and purchasing a standard size, dose or form for pharmaceuticals which are used by more than one department. For more information: Center for Environmental Information |
| Generic Drug: ALL chemotherapy drugs
Inventory control programs can help to minimize the amount of drugs that are allowed to expire and to aid in determining the optimum dosage size(s) of a given medication to be purchased. Falls Memorial Hospital in International Falls Minnesota, performed an inventory analysis in 2006. Changing their order of chemotherapy drugs from once a month to once a week and reducing the number of dosage forms and overall drugs kept in stock, saved the hospital $123,000 per month. See Appendix C of the study. Proprietary Drug(s): ALL chemotherapy drugs For more information: Healthcare Environmental Resource Center |
