Where and how does the UK Medical Center dispose of used or outdated pharmaceuticals?

Over the last year, government agencies involved in pharmaceuticals have begun altering instructions regarding disposal of unused or expired drugs. Previously, it was widely recommended to flush any unused drugs down the toilet. But recent studies and news reports have found that chemicals disposed of in that manner can resurface in the water supply.

John Armitstead, Director of Pharmacy at the University of Kentucky, describes how they handle unused pharmaceuticals. Disposing of these drugs is governed by the Environmental Protection Agency by regulations known as RCRA.
For small volumes, the university flushes the drugs. For large volumes, the university contracts with a service who collects the material, then disposes of the medicines according to federal regulations. Generally, that involves incinerating the material. Any other waste involving medicines goes into the biohazard containers and is disposed of with that material. Biohazardous waste is disposed of according to federal regulations, as well.

For consumers who would like to disposed of old medicine, the Food and Drug Administration has guidelines to follow. The instructions include flush some medicines, take drugs out of their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds; take all medicine out of their containers and scratch off any identifying marks on the medicine.

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