Objective:

To analyze the environmental impact of relabeling process with “Color your unitary dose” program and the efficiency compared to the traditional repackaging.

Method:

The contaminating material used in the relabeling and repackaging of 100,000 unitary dose was calculated. In addition, the area occupied by the contaminating material produced in both processes was measured to determinate the saving of material with the relabeling process, and an approximate estimation of material production was made according to the hospital capacity. The cost associated to the material required in both processes and the machinery needed to relabeling and repackaging during 20 years was evaluated.

Results:

The contaminating material used in the relabeling of 100,000 unitary dose was 2.11 kg and 4.54 kg of plastic (depending on the label model used), and 67.82 kg (plastic, aluminum and tracing) in the traditional repackaging process. The area occupied by the contaminating material produced in both processes was 56.81 m2 and 138.60 m2 (relabeling), and 759.24 m2 (repackaging), which means a saving of 620.64 m2 and 702.43 m2 of contaminating material (15-32 times less polluting in weight and 6-13 times, in space). A third level hospital that repackages 2 million unitary dose would annually produce around 1,356.40 kg. A saving of 89% (1,580 €) of material used was obtained with the relabeling, and 98.2% (17,830 €) in terms of the cost of amortization of the machinery necessary for 20 years.

Conclusions:

The relabeling was an efficient and less polluting process than the traditional repackaging system, so we should only use it for medications that can not be relabelled.

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