Moto Health Communication

Letter to CMS

Response from CMS

Waste disposal

The Community Pharmacist Sector of the PSSA has developed a programme to assist pharmacists in the safe, legal and ethical transport and destruction of stockpiled medicines, medical waste and sharps from their pharmacies.

A recent survey, undertaken by the Southern Gauteng branches of the PSSA and CPS among 800 randomly selected pharmacists, has shown that 51% of responding pharmacies do not make use of a medicine waste disposal company.  

The Medicines Control Council is concerned about the safe disposal of medicines, and there is no doubt that it is the intention of the SA Pharmacy Council to broaden the standards for medicine waste disposal in the GPP (Good Pharmacy Practice).  

Members of the PSSA/CPS are now able to join the CPS medicine disposal network. If you are not already a member and you would like to become one, then download the membership application form, complete it and fax it to 012 3010828.  

A once off registration fee of R50 per pharmacy will be levied. After this registration, the pharmacy will receive:

·             A complete Standard Operating Procedure on medical and healthcare waste disposal

·               A checklist based on South African National Standards

·               A service agreement between the pharmacy and CPS 

CPS has contracted directly with two service providers, Psychem and Thermopower, both of which comply with the 15 point “Checklist for disposal of pharmaceutical waste” and have a national footprint.  The network will however not exclude current service providers servicing community pharmacists, provided that they comply with the 15 point checklist.  

Should you be interested in this initiative, please complete the registration form below and return to fax no. (011) 728-5988.

Waste disposal registration form (Word doc 958kb)