Pharmaceutical pollution and sustainable development goals: Going the right way?

Abstract

Water and wastewater treatment plants were not developed to remove pharmaceuticals from effluents. Consequently, pharmaceutical residues are being detected in many ecosystems worldwide. Pharmaceutical pollution is a diffuse issue that has the potential to unbalance ecosystems. It is a complex environmental problem that involves all sectors of society. In this article, we present: (1) an evaluation of the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) considering pharmaceutical pollution as a case study; (2) a narrative review regarding legislation of pharmaceutical disposal of several countries; and, finally, (3) reflections concerning alternatives for better management aiming to reduce pharmaceutical pollution. Regarding these three main aims, we found that: (1) pharmaceutical pollution is still a problem, so we are going against SDGs from this point of view (2) the lack of drug disposal regulation in some countries may have a global impact and harm many ecosystems worldwide; (3) the solutions indicated here would integrate the management and help to reduce drug pollution, consequently, moving towards SGDs.