Effective Aug. 22, 2019, providers of aging services with hospice and nursing home settings will no longer be allowed to dispose of pharmaceuticals by flushing them down a toilet or sink drain. The prohibition is part of a new rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
All health care settings, including the hospice and nursing home settings mentioned above, will be prohibited from “sewering” pharmaceuticals classified as “hazardous waste.”
The list of pharmaceuticals covered by the rule includes, but is not limited to:
- Prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter drugs
- Compounded drugs
- Drugs remaining in a non-empty container
- Clean-up materials from spills of pharmaceuticals
- Homeopathic drugs
- Dietary supplements
LeadingAge members that have an existing disposal process for pharmaceuticals, typically through a third party, will not be impacted by the rule. If a member still disposes of pharmaceuticals by sewering, however, it will have to plan for proper disposal by August of this year.
For additional information check out the Final Rule and the webinar from LeadingAge National.
