Harmonisation of Pharmaceutical Take-Back Systems in the EU

Abstract

When medicines enter the environment, they harm living species and ecosystems. Improper disposal of household pharmaceutical waste increases the concentration of pharmaceuticals in the environment and thus their detrimental impacts. Since 2004, the EU has obliged its Member States to establish ‘an appropriate collection system’ for unused and/or expired medication. However, as no implementation guidelines exist, large differences in the systems and their use remain. Pressure for adoption of guidelines harmonising the systems across the EU has been increasing. We address the question whether such harmonisation could mitigate pharmaceutical pollution, and which regulatory measures would be appropriate. To answer this, we conduct a comparative investigation of the systems’ regulation and an empirical study of citizens’ beliefs and behaviour across four European countries. We find a potential for increasing the effectiveness of pharmaceutical take-back systems through their harmonisation and conclude that the EU has the competence and tools to regulate this.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Disposal of Unused, Unwanted and Expired Medicines among Healthcare Professionals

“…40 This might be due to lack of a take-back system in our country whereas the USA, Canada and European countries have a well-established drug take-back system that encourages people for proper disposal of left-over medicines. 41,42 One should return back the drugs by following the drug take-back program if it is available and this is the best method. In case if drug take program is not available then, one should follow specific disposal instructions on the medication label or in the patient information sheet that accompanies the medicines.…”