Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal as a Global Problem—A Review

Abstract

The negative effect of the pharmaceuticals presence (persistence?) in various components of the environment is a global problem today. These compounds are released into the environment as a result of, inter alia, their use and improper disposal. Therefore, it is important to reduce excessive drug consumption and to develop a system for the collection of unused/expired pharmaceuticals. The effectiveness of actions in this area is inextricably linked with the need to educate society on how to deal properly with unwanted medications. The aim of the study was to show that the inappropriate handling of unused/expired drugs by society is an important problem in waste management systems, and it impacts the state of the environment. Forty-eight scientific articles published between 2012 and 2021 were taken into account that discussed the systems in various countries for the collection of unused/expired pharmaceuticals. This literature review shows that the main method of disposing of unused/expired medications, according to respondents from different countries, is either by disposing of them in household waste or flushing them into the sewage system. This is also the case in countries with systems or programs for the return of redundant drugs, which indicates that these systems are not sufficiently effective. This may be influenced by many factors, including the lack or ineffective education of the society.

Molecular Simulation Studies of Pharmaceutical Pollutant Removal (Rosuvastatin and Simvastatin) Using Novel Modified-MOF Nanostructures (UIO-66, UIO-66/Chitosan, and UIO-66/Oxidized Chitosan)

“…In contemporary times, escalating anxieties have arisen regarding the pollution of aqueous entities such as rivers, lakes, and seas with pharmaceutical impurities. − These impurities are frequently released into the surroundings through diverse origins, including industrial emissions, agricultural drainage, and the improper disposition of medications. − …”

Modeling Predictors of Medication Waste Reduction Intention in Algeria: Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior

“…Medication waste is defined by Mohammed et al [ 8 ] (p. 1) as “drugs and medicines that can no longer be used”. Previous research mentioned that the improvement of the patient’s condition or recovery (sometimes due to over-prescribing), forgetfulness, the emergence of side effects, changing the dose or medication, patient death, as well as the medication expiration are the most important reasons leading to medication wastage (unused or expired) in homes [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. In addition, delivering and selling near-expired medications can cause them to be wasted [ 2 , 13 ].…”

“…In line with this, and in order to mitigate the waste severity, many countries have established medication waste take-back systems [ 6 , 18 , 27 ] so that consumers of medications can cooperate with pharmacists to play important roles. However, some of these systems failed to achieve the desired goals [ 12 ] for several reasons, including a lack of awareness among society’s members [ 15 , 18 , 32 ]. On this basis, research in this field has attracted the attention of researchers, decision-makers, and international organizations in both developed and developing countries [ 6 ].…”

“…Despite it all, current research has focused on investigating issues related to the medication waste reality, such as the examination of medication waste volume [ 2 ], medication waste disposal [ 6 , 9 , 12 , 16 , 17 , 33 , 34 ], medication waste practices [ 13 , 27 ], knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards wasting medications [ 1 , 28 , 35 ], causative factors of medication waste [ 14 ], and determinants of medications storage [ 5 , 36 , 37 ]. Moreover, other studies have focused on medication waste management [ 4 , 8 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Molecular Responses of Daphnids to Chronic Exposures to Pharmaceuticals

“…Pharmaceuticals find their way to the aquatic environment through several pathways, for example household and medical waste, where they may remain biologically active in the environmental space and threaten non-target organisms [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. An obvious pathway of pharmaceutical pollution is via wastewater effluent, due to the inability of wastewater treatment plants to effectively remove small and relatively stable compounds.…”