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Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal as a Global Problem—A Review

Author

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  • Justyna Rogowska

    (Division of Medical and Pharmacy Law, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Tuwima Str. 15, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Zimmermann

    (Division of Medical and Pharmacy Law, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Tuwima Str. 15, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Justyna Rogowska & Agnieszka Zimmermann, 2022. "Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal as a Global Problem—A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-29, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15798-:d:985906
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Péter Elek & Anikó Bíró & Petra Fadgyas‐Freyler, 2021. "Income gradient of pharmaceutical panic buying at the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(9), pages 2312-2320, September.
    2. Xiaotan Yu & Xianmin Hu & Shulan Li & Mengya Zhang & Jun Wang, 2019. "Attitudes and Practice Regarding Disposal for Unwanted Medications among Young Adults and Elderly People in China from an Ecopharmacovigilance Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Simona Bungau & Delia Mirela Tit & Katalin Fodor & Gabriela Cioca & Maricel Agop & Ciprian Iovan & Delia Carmen Nistor Cseppento & Adrian Bumbu & Cristiana Bustea, 2018. "Aspects Regarding the Pharmaceutical Waste Management in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Simone Aquino & Glauco Antonio Spina & Maria Antonietta Leitão Zajac & Evandro Luiz Lopes, 2018. "Reverse Logistics of Postconsumer Medicines: The Roles and Knowledge of Pharmacists in the Municipality of São Paulo, Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-17, November.
    5. Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa & Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky, 2021. "A source-to-sea approach to emerging pollutants in freshwater and oceans: pharmaceuticals in the Baltic Sea region," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(2), pages 195-210, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kamel Mouloudj & Anuli Njoku & Dachel Martínez Asanza & Ahmed Chemseddine Bouarar & Marian A. Evans & Smail Mouloudj & Achouak Bouarar, 2023. "Modeling Predictors of Medication Waste Reduction Intention in Algeria: Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Justyna Rogowska & Kamila Piątkowska & Zuzanna Głowacz, 2024. "Societal Involvement in Household Waste Sorting Behavior in the Context of the Circular Economy: A Case Study of Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Anuli Njoku & Kamel Mouloudj & Ahmed Chemseddine Bouarar & Marian A. Evans & Dachel Martínez Asanza & Smail Mouloudj & Achouak Bouarar, 2024. "Intentions to Create Green Start-Ups for Collection of Unwanted Drugs: An Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-20, March.

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