Unused And Outdated Pharmaceuticals. Member lines have agreed to ensure that unused and/or outdated pharmaceuticals are effectively and safely disposed of in accordance with legal and environmental requirements.
Unused And Outdated Pharmaceuticals. ICCL member lines have agreed to ensure that unused and/or outdated pharmaceuticals are efectively and safely disposed in accordance with legal and environmental requirements. In general ships carry varying amounts of pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceuticals carried range from over-the-counter products such as anti-fungal creams to prescription drugs such as epinephrine. Each ship stocks an inventory based on its itinerary and the demographics of its passenger base. ICCL member lines have agreed that all pharmaceuticals will be managed to ensure that their efficacy is optimized and that disposal is done in an environmentally responsible manner. ICCL member lines have further agreed that when disposing of pharmaceuticals, the method used will be consistent with established procedures, and that pharmaceuticals and medications which are off specification or which have exceeded their shelf-life, and stocks that are unused and out of date, cannot be used for patients and therefore will be removed from the ship. Further, each regulatory jurisdiction has a posting of listed pharmaceuticals that must be considered hazardous waste once the date has expired or the item is no longer considered good for patient use. Through onboard management of the medical facility, ICCL member lines have agreed that stocks of such listed pharmaceuticals are returned to the vendor prior to date of expiration. Pharmaceuticals that are being returned and which have not reached their expiration date are shipped using ordinary practices for new products. Safety and Health ICCL member lines have agreed that all expired listed pharmaceuticals will be handled in accordance with established procedures and all personnel handling this waste will receive appropriate training in the handling of hazardous materials. As guidance, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a report that clarifies the fact that residuals, such as epinephrine, found in syringes after injections are not considered an acutely hazardous waste by definition and may be disposed of appropriately in sharps containers. Member lines have agreed that all Universal Precautions will be adhered to when handling sharps.
