Schedule 8 medicines can only be destroyed when they are no longer suitable for patient use, such as being expired, contaminated, damaged or otherwise unfit for human or animal use. They must be destroyed and disposed of under the personal supervision of an authorised person.
Destruction
Persons authorised to destroy Schedule 8 medicines include those health practitioners ordinarily permitted to obtain, possess or supply a S8, such as medical practitioners, pharmacists, registered nurses, etc.
Witnesses
Destruction of a Schedule 8 must also be independently witnessed by another approved person.
Each time a Schedule 8 is destroyed this action must be recorded in the approved transaction Register, including the date, item and quantity destroyed and reason for destruction.
Final Disposal
To physically dispose of a Schedule 8 medicine they should be first be made unidentifiable by removing all labelling and packaging, and then made physically or chemically unusable by breaking ampoules, emptying liquid contents, crushing tablets and using a disposal kit.
Disposal kits
Purpose made controlled drug disposal kits suspend the Schedule 8 medicine in a gel preventing retrieval. They are strongly recommended to maintain security and those with a chemical neutralising agent included are preferred.
Secure transfer
While awaiting final disposal Schedule 8 medicines must continue to be held securely to prevent theft or diversion. Storage in an approved drug safe should continue, until immediately before final transfer to the place of incineration.
