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Table 1 Process steps required to redispense unused medications in the pharmacy, the mean time spent on each step and the associated costs. All process steps could be performed by a pharmacy technician unless stated otherwise

From: What does it cost to redispense unused medications in the pharmacy? A micro-costing study

Process steps

Medication requiring room-temperature storage

Medication requiring refrigeration

Mean time (minutes; min-max)

Cost (€)

Mean time (minutes; min-max)

Cost (€)

Step 1. Prepare medication before dispensing

1.6 (1.4–1.7)

2.90

2.0 (1.8–2.3)

4.30

 ▪ Register patient information and medication intended for dispensing in PHISa

 ▪ Collect a sealbag and temperature-measuring device

 ▪ Activate temperature-measuring device

 ▪ Place medication with temperature-measuring device in sealbag

 ▪ Inform the patient about the redispensing process

Step 2. Assess quality of returned medication

2.9 (2.4–3.6)

2.14

3.9 (3.5–4.2)

2.73

 ▪ Register returned medication in PHIS

 ▪ Place medication in a storage location if not assessed directly

 ▪ Determine the quality of the medication and register temperature storage, package integrity and expiry date

 ▪ Place medication in storage location

 ▪ Review and sign off checklist by pharmacist

Step 3a. Restock medication that fulfil all quality criteria

0.8 (0.6–1.0)

0.50

0.9 (0.8–0.9)

0.58

 ▪ Collect medication from storage location

 ▪ Remove old patient label from medication package

 ▪ Document the restocking in PHIS

 ▪ Place medication in pharmacy stockb

Step 3b. Dispose of medication that not fulfil quality criteria

0.7 (0.7–0.8)

0.48

0.8 (0.7–1.0)

0.53

 ▪ Collect medication from storage location

 ▪ Document the disposal in PHIS

 ▪ Place medication in disposal bin

Step 4a. Collect and restock temperature loggers returned by post

0.4 (0.3–0.4)

1.28

Step 4b. Collect and restock temperature loggers returned as normal care

  

0.4 (0.3–0.4)

0.25

 ▪ Take logger from envelope (paid by pharmacy)

    

 ▪ Deactivate logger

 ▪ Place logger in stock

Total

 Medication that returns to stock (step 1,2,3a)

5.3 (SD ±0.3)

5.54

6.8 (SD ±0.3)

7.61

 Medication that is disposed of (step 1,2,3b)

5.2 (SD ±0.4)

5.52

6.7 (SD ±0.5)

7.56

  1. aPharmacy’s information system, bStock adjustments and communication with the financial department could not be simulated