My Gas Station Turned Into a Healthcare Facility

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My Gas Station Turned Into a Healthcare Facility


Much has been written about EPA’s new Subpart P regulations pertaining to the management of pharmaceutical waste at healthcare facilities. Each state must adopt the new regulations and many already have. Refer to 40 CFR Part 266 for details on these new regulations.

In this article we will clarify what EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) considers to be a healthcare facility.

You’d be surprised to know that EPA define a healthcare facility as any person that is lawfully authorized to provide patient care to humans or animals. Or, facility that sells or dispenses pharmaceuticals. It is important to note that they lump in OTC and homeopathic medicine as pharmaceuticals.

Under this definition, the following entities are likely considered healthcare facilities and are regulated under EPA’s Subpart P:

  • Gas stations (Sell OTC)
  • Gift shops in airports and hotels (Sell OTC)
  • Fleet Farms (Sell human and veterinary type pharmaceuticals)
  • Farm Co-Ops (Sell OTC veterinary type pharmaceuticals)
  • Fire stations (Administer pharmaceuticals)
  • Police stations (Administer pharmaceuticals, like Narcan®)
  • Convenience or Dollar stores (Sell OTC)
  • Veterinary clinics (Sell and administer pharmaceuticals)
  • Dental offices (Administer pharmaceuticals)
  • Dr.’s offices and clinics (Administer pharmaceuticals)
  • Retail pharmacies (Sell and sometimes may administer pharmaceuticals)
  • Satellite, express, or quick care clinics (Administer pharmaceuticals)

So, the next time you fill up at your local gas station, you may want to strike up a conversation on how they are complying with the new EPA regulations on pharmaceutical waste management. You know, EPA Subpart P. By the way, don’t expect an immediate response.

Register for a free webinar on EPA’s Subpart P which is given monthly and subscribe to our email list to receive industry email alerts and blogs as they become available.