The pharmacy will routinely check drug stock and remove any out-dated and discontinued items for return for credit.

B. PROCEDURE

1. The closed stock inventory is checked monthly for expiration dating. Items which are out- dated are placed in the expired drug storage area.

2. Technicians in the dispensing area check active stock for expired or damaged products and return them to the supply area.

3.  All Pyxis machines are checked monthly for expired drugs which are returned to the supply area.

4.  Service areas which have "charge and replace" stock are checked monthly to remove expired drugs.

5. A technician from the supply section coordinates the return of the expired material.

6. The pharmacy contracts with a pharmaceutical returns services company to handle all returns.

7. The contracted service picks up all expired products on a routine basis as determined by the supply area.

8. Drug returns are itemized for shipment and a copy of the list is given to the supply supervisor.

9. The drug returns are packaged and removed by the contracted service.

10. A notice of credit is sent to the pharmacy by the contracted service after the goods have been processed.

11. All completed transactions are moved from the pending to the completed file.