With the increasing public spotlight on this issue, pressure is intensifying on pharmacy to implement compliant pharmaceutical waste management programs.

And while the initial reaction to change is often to push back, this is an issue that is not going to go away. In addition to the attention this issue has generated from the general press, reports of regulatory inspections are also on the rise.

Pharmaceutical waste management is also a growing priority for the EPA, which is in the process of developing a detailed questionnaire on pharmacy waste practices that will soon be disseminated to one in every five US hospitals. Upon receipt of the questionnaire, hospitals will be mandated to complete it and certify their responses. The questionnaire results will inform EPA policies and inspection efforts going forward.

With this growing focus on pharmaceutical waste management, PP&P, with generous support from Vestara, conducted a nationwide survey of Directors of Pharmacy to measure the scope of this issue. We measured DoP’s commitment levels, expenditures, current practices, and staff training methods as they relate to pharmaceutical waste management.

We are pleased to share the results of this survey with you in the enclosed Pharmaceutical Waste Management Report. As this report demonstrates, pharmacy is facing significant challenges in achieving compliant waste management practices.

In the months ahead, keep an eye on PP&P for more guidance on this rapidly developing area.

All the best,



R. Mitchell Halvorsen
Publisher

P.S. The survey would be impossible to create without the input of the many pharmacy leaders who answered our survey. We salute your involvement.  Thank you for being a part of this process to improve pharmaceutical waste management!

P.P.S.  We would also like to congratulate the winner of this year's Pharmaceutical Waste Management Survey prize drawing. Alan was awarded a Canon digital camera for his participation.

Alan Stern
Director of Pharmacy
St. Christopher Hospital for Children
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania