[e-drug] Disposal of cotrimoxazole syrup (cont)

[Claudi Cichillo <c.cuchillo@psf-ci.org>]

E-drug: Disposal of cotrimoxazole syrup (cont)
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Dear E-drugger ,

53,000  bottles (100 mL) means 5,300 liters of syrup. Encapsulation with
cement at, for example, a 1:1 ratio would mean 53 drums of 200 liter
capacity, which is probably too much. Obviously, they should not be thrown
down the drain. However, if they are thrown to a water stream at a rate of 1
bottle for every 3-5 liters of running water there is a 30-50 fold dilution
to 2-3% of syrup (a much lower content in terms of active principle) (See
WHO Guidelines point 2.5). If this is done over an extended period of time
the consequences for the environment should be negligible (water out of a
water-treatment plant has still about 1-2% of organic matter but with the
dilution effect this is perfectly acceptable). An important point would be
to carry out this operation with a certain discretion in order to avoid
possible nasty,unfounded comments in the sensationalist press or concern by
uninformed people (WHO Guidelines point 1.9 last paragraph).

Regards
Claudi Cuchillo
President Pharmacists without borders
tel : 00 33 4 73 98 24 98
fax : 00 33 4 73 98 24 90
e-mail : c.cuchillo@psf-ci.org
website : www.psfci.org

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