The Associated Press two years ago reported the detection of pharmaceuticals in the drinking water that serves 41 million Americans. This result may not seem surprising when one considers that between 1993 and 2009, more than 1,500 drugs were approved by the FDA, and that hospitals are large users of pharmaceuticals for patient care. The average hospital pharmacy formulary contains between 2,000 and 5,000 drugs.

“At Nyack Hospital, we have an extensive sorting process because pharmaceutical waste in hospitals must be characterized, segregated, and transported. Items such as packaging, wrapping and applicators must also undergo sorting. Many of these common pharmaceuticals used in hospitals, such as blood thinners like coumadin and nicotine patches, are then used in thousands of homes in Rockland County. Nyack Hospital follows the state Department of Environmental Conversation guidelines and provides extensive training for nursing and pharmacy staff to show our patients in the Hudson Valley the safe and compliant way to dispose of medications. With Stericycle’s Pharmaceutical Waste Compliance program we believe we are ahead of the compliance curve and doing what’s right for our community,” said Joseph Pinto, R. Ph, Pharmacy Director.

In effect for more than three decades, laws like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) gave the EPA authority to regulate hazardous materials, including pharmaceutical waste. There are also 21 Joint Commission Standards that drive hospital leaders to continue identifying best practices that minimize the impact of pharmaceuticals on the nation’s public water supply. Many hospitals are just beginning to understand how to manage the process. “We want to simplify a very complex process. We also intend to make a long-term difference in the water quality of our community. Stericycle uses reusable containers and helps confirm the hazardous status of pharmaceutical waste. We feel confident that we are making a positive, long-term impact on the environment and responsibly segregating pharmaceutical waste in a cost effective manner,” concluded Mr. Pinto.

Nyack Hospital

Nyack Hospital is a 375-bed community acute care medical and surgical hospital located in Rockland County, NY.  Founded in 1895, it is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System.  For additional information, please visit our web site at www.nyackhospital.org.

Stericycle

Lake Forest, IL-based Stericycle (NASDAQ: SRCL) is a leader in healthcare-related services that protect people and reduce risk. With more than 440,000 customers worldwide, Stericycle has operations in North America, Europe, and Latin America. Visit www.stericycle.com