No More Flushing: Better Options for Safe Medication Disposal in Senior Living Facilities

Last updated on April 13, 2021

Many senior living providers aren’t aware that some common medication disposal methods may actually be putting them at risk from a compliance standpoint while reducing operational efficiency and eroding the bottom line. A new white paper published by Sharps Compliance and Senior Housing News explains how “best practices” in medication disposal are changing and how senior living providers can benefit from new, safer pharmaceutical disposal options.

The new white paper discusses:

• Proper medication management disposal in senior living communities
• The latest disposal regulations from the EPA and DEA
• Cost-saving methods
• Environmental considerations

In particular, the paper addresses the common practice of “sewering,” or flushing medications down the toilet. This disposal method does not meet the Drug Enforcement Agency’s “non-retrievable” standard for destruction of controlled substances. In February 2019, the EPA issued a rule titled “Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine,” which explicitly urged all senior living facilities to stop flushing all medications.

There are better medication disposal options that are safe, compliant, and affordable. Learn more about them when you download our free white paper.