Ways to Resolve Global Problem of Collection, Conveyance and Disposal of Hazardous Medical Wastes in Ukraine

Abstract

This scientific paper studies the procedure and specific aspects of collection, conveyance and disposal of hazardous medical wastes in Ukraine. Drawing on analysis of the state of matters in the sphere of collection, conveyance and disposal of hazardous medical wastes in Ukraine, we proposed effective ways to resolve this problem. With a view to improve the procedure for collection, conveyance and disposal of hazardous medical wastes in Ukraine, we proposed, firstly, to strengthen public control over the state procurement with the help of “DoZor public”, an online platform, where everyone can provide a feedback to a state customer or supplier, society or law enforcement authorities regarding the conducted procurement procedure, discuss and evaluate the terms of a particular purchase, and analyze purchases of a particular customer. Secondly, insufficient control by the state also provokes emergence of such situations. In this context, it is expedient to lift the moratorium on inspections of business entities by the controlling bodies. It has been established that the main sources of generation of pharmaceutical and medical wastes in Ukraine are: medical waste from hospitals, health centers, health resorts, outpatient clinics, etc.; materials from laboratories and pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises; tissues and body parts from surgical theaters; expired drug products; medical devices; leftover medicines in the form of liquid medicines, pills, solutions, etc. in a household setting; waste from pharmacies, pharmacy branches and pharmacy kiosks; packaging materials from drug products, etc. The author has investigated the main methods employed for destruction of poor-quality drugs in the form of solid products, powders (pills, capsules, granules, powders for injection), semisolid drugs (creams, gels, ointments) by means of encapsulation, inertization or high-temperature incineration.