Abstract
A number of policy recommendations identify the general public as a key participant in environmentally sustainable pharmaceutical policies. However, research into pharmaceuticals-related environmental issues from the population perspective is scarce. We studied the awareness among Finnish adults (n = 2030) of pharmaceutical residues in Finnish waterways, their perceived environmental sources, views on pharmaceuticals-related environmental issues, and their association with background characteristics. Of the respondents, 89.5% were aware of the presence of pharmaceuticals in Finnish waterways. Wastewaters from the pharmaceutical industry were most frequently, and pharmaceuticals excreted by humans least frequently, considered a major environmental source of pharmaceuticals. The vast majority of the respondents were worried about the environmental and health impact of pharmaceutical residues and emphasized issues such as the importance of environmentally sustainable actions by pharmaceutical companies and the recyclability of the pharmaceutical packaging materials. Age, education, use of prescription medicines, and environmental attitude were associated with awareness of pharmaceutical residues, while gender, age, education level, and environmental attitude were associated most frequently with pharmaceuticals-related environmental considerations. These results indicate a need for improved communication about the environmental effects of pharmaceuticals and the significance of different pharmaceutical emission sources in order to promote a more environmentally friendly, effective pharmaceutical policy.
Highlights
Even though pharmaceuticals play a key role in human well-being, they do have potential adverse effects on both individuals and the environment
This study considered the questions designed to learn about the awareness of traces of pharmaceuticals in Finnish waterways, perceptions of the importance of different pharmaceutical emission sources for Finnish waterways, pharmaceuticals-related environmental attitudes and opinions, and a question including five statements concerning environmental opinions in general [27,30]
In this study we showed that the environmental friendliness of the Finnish population encompasses issues concerning pharmaceuticals and the environment
Summary
Even though pharmaceuticals play a key role in human well-being, they do have potential adverse effects on both individuals and the environment. The approach includes measures that require the authorities, the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare professionals, and water services as well as the general public to play a part in minimizing the environmental risks of pharmaceuticals during the whole life cycle of a pharmaceutical product. Such communications are an important step towards a more sustainable pharmaceutical sector as they form a common platform for actions and discussion by several stakeholders, including the general public
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