Have you ever felt confused about left over medicine strips or unused surgical products? The proper disposal and return processes are necessary so as to ensure safety,
In Bangalore, the Bangalore Chemists Association raised the concern about the lack of clarity on cut medicine strip disposal rules in India and surgical product return policy in India. In this blog, you will be taken through the right way to dispose of cut medicine strips in Bangalore and the appropriate return procedure for surgical products in Bangalore, to keep you well-informed and in compliance.
Understanding Pharmaceutical Waste
Pharmaceutical waste refers to expired medicines, unused medicine strips, and single-use surgical products like syringes and gloves. If these are generally not disposed of properly, environmental contamination and health hazards occur. For example, discarded medicines can seep into the soil and contaminate water bodies, impacting ecosystems and possibly stirring toward the human food chain.
Regulatory Framework in India
Medical waste management in India is administered under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. According to these rules, the segregation, collection, and disposal of biomedical waste are done in such a manner as to cause least harm to the environment. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is also in the process of putting forth regulations related to the disposal of expired and unused medicines so that these medicines are not abused or disposed of injuriously to the environment.
Best Practices for Disposal
1. Segregation at Source: Segregate hazardous from non-hazardous wastes. Use proper-coded containers such as yellow for infectious waste, red for contaminated plastics, and white for sharps.
2. Packaging: Package waste safely to ensure that no leakage or spilling can occur. Sharps must go into puncture-resistant containers.
3. Storage: Waste should be stored in a specified area and far away from patient care areas. The area must be ventilated and out of reach of unauthorized personnel.
4. Transportation: Engage a waste management company licensed for the carriage and transportation of medical waste to treatment facilities.
5. Disposal and Treatment: Treatment can be carried out through autoclaving, incineration, or chemical disinfection before actual disposal, depending on the type of waste.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite the regulations, these challenges exist:
- Lack of Awareness: Individuals who are ignorant about proper disposal end up flushing medicines and throwing them in the garbage.
- Inadequate Facilities: Not all healthcare facilities have access to proper waste treatment facilities.
- Governance Gaps: While guidelines exist, their enforcement varies from region to region.
Addressing these issues:
- Public Education: Publicity and awareness explain the importance of proper disposal of such things.
- Infrastructure Investment: Development in waste treatment facilities should be made to ensure medical waste is properly processed.
- Policy Enforcement: The implementation of existing regulations should be strengthened for better compliance.
Conclusion
The sterilization and disposal of surgical products and drug strips hold the final degree of importance in public health and environmental safety. Adhering to best disposal practices and support for return initiatives would minimize risk from pharmaceutical wastes. A joint effort between the public, healthcare professionals, and regulatory bodies is imperative for a cleaner and healthful environment.
Reference
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