DISPOSAL OF MEDICATIONS
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It is the policy of VNA Hospice Care (VNAHC) that a prescription medication in a patient’s
home will be disposed of when:
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The patient no longer needs the medication.
The medication’s expiration date is reached.
Following a patient’s discharge from hospice services.
Following a patient’s death.
Prior to disposing of a medication, the hospice nurse will check the medication label to confirm
that the medication belongs to the patient, and is a medication that was provided by VNAHC.
(Unless requested, VNAHC staff will not dispose of medications that were not supplied by
VNAHC).
It is VNAHC’s policy that medications will be disposed of by the hospice nurse in the presence
of at least one family member/caregiver. That individual will be asked to sign the Medication
Disposal Form, acknowledging that he/she witnessed the disposal of the medication(s).
OPTIONS FOR DRUG DISPOSAL IN THE HOME
1. Unused medications may legally be disposed of in two ways:
A. Disposal into the water system:
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommends flushing narcotics and other
controlled substances down the toilet or sink, instead of throwing them into the trash.
Flushing prevents drugs from being accidentally used by children, or anyone else for
whom they were not prescribed, including family pets.
B. Federal guidelines released in February, 2007 offer an alternative to flushing medications
down the sink or toilet. If this option is preferred, the guidelines below may be followed:
a. To safeguard private health information, cross out the personal information on the
medication containers. A black, permanent marker is useful.
b. Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers.
c. Mix the prescription drugs with flour (coffee grounds or unused kitty litter may also
be used) and put them in impermeable, non-descript containers (such as empty cans
with lids or zip-lock type plastic bags). This ensures that the drugs are not diverted
(that is, someone other than the patient using the medication), or accidentally ingested
by children or pets. Multiple medications may be placed together in a single, large
container that can accommodate larger volumes of waste.
d. Ensure that the drugs are unusable and prevent the unintentional or intentional
ingestion of discarded medications by following the actions listed below:
1) Liquids and IV Medications: Add flour, kitty litter or coffee grounds to the
container and replace the container’s cap (a funnel may be helpful).
2) Tablets and Capsules: Add water to the container, followed by flour, kitty litter or
coffee grounds. Replace the container’s cap.
3) Suppositories: Add flour, kitty litter or coffee grounds to the container, and replace
the container’s cap.
4) Transdermal Patches: Using disposable gloves, remove patches from the packaging
or the patient’s skin. Immediately fold the patch, sticky sides together, and flush it
down the toilet. When flushed immediately, the patch cannot be accidentally used
by children, or anyone else for whom it was not prescribed, including family pets.
Remove and dispose of gloves, and wash hands thoroughly.
5) Medicated Ointments and Creams: Mix flour, kitty litter, or coffee grounds into the
original container. If this is not feasible, squeeze or scoop medication into a plastic
container and mix in the flour, kitty litter or coffee grounds. Replace the
container’s cap.
6) Medication/Pill Organizers: Follow the guidelines for tablets and capsules. Use
the original container or a plastic beverage container and add water followed by
flour. Replace the container’s cap.
e. Place all medication containers in a plain paper bag to discourage identification
and tampering. Dispose of the paper bag in the trash.
2. Under no circumstances are medications to be removed from the home by VNAHC staff or
volunteers.
3. Medications for VNAHC patients in long-term care facilities and hospitals will be destroyed
by the facility’s staff and according to the facility’s protocol.