Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Research Articles

Characterization and Optimization of process parameter for Pharmaceutical waste management and disposal by using Nano Zero Valent Iron impregnated agricultural waste from aqueous solution

Characterization and Optimization of process parameter for Pharmaceutical waste management and disposal by using Nano Zero Valent Iron impregnated agricultural waste from aqueous solution

Endangerment of Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in the Environment

Disposal of pharmaceutical wastes in the environment leads to many losses and causes damage to theecosystem. Plants, animals and human beings are put in endangerment due to the medicines and injectionsdisposed in the environment. Toxic chemicals and substances exposed to the public nearby places causesmany diseases such as respiratory syndromes and cancers skin infections and genetic disorders. Disposalin marine area pollutes the living atmosphere of aquatic organisms affects the ecosystem in unexpectedways. Considering this, environmental department should take effective precautions to protect and ensurethe safety and peaceful living of beings in the environment. In this the article pollutants, toxic chemicalsscavenged in the environment by the pharmaceutical industry, which has many adverse effects to the safetyand a clean environment are discussed.

Photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol using aluminosilicate supported TiO2.

The continuous growth of the pharmaceutical drug industry has escalated the problem of pharmaceutical waste disposal, and subsequent contamination of aquatic bodies. Paracetamol is one of the most prescribed and purchased drugs that has been widely detected in wastewater and surface water. The present study investigated paracetamol degradation by photocatalytic treatment in a batch system using TiO2 supported on aluminosilicate recovered from waste LED panel (ATiO2). The prepared ATiO2 catalyst was characterized for morphology, elemental composition and crystallinity using scanning electron microscope (SEM) with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. ATiO2 was spherical in morphology with a predominance of the anatase phase of TiO2 and an average size of ∼15 nm. Subsequently, the effects of operating parameters, viz., initial paracetamol concentration (1-10 mg/L), catalyst dosage (0.5-4.0 g/L) and pH (4-10) on paracetamol degradation were investigated using central composite design (CCD). A polynomial model was developed to interpret the linear and interactive effect of operating parameters on the paracetamol degradation efficiency. About 99% degradation efficiency of paracetamol was obtained at optimum conditions (Initial paracetamol concentration ∼2.74 mg/L, ATiO2 dosage ∼2.71 g/L and pH ∼ 9.5). The mechanism of paracetamol degradation was adsorption on aluminosilicate and subsequent degradation by TiO2. ATiO2 could be effectively reused up to 3 cycles, with <5% decrease in the degradation efficiency.

Lay people and experts’ risk perception of pharmaceuticals in the environment in Southwestern Europe

This study aims to contribute to the risk management of pharmaceuticals in the environment, illustrating risk perceptions of lay people and experts from Southwestern Europe (Portugal, Spain, and France). The psychometric paradigm was applied to assess risk regarding four hazards: pharmaceuticals in the environment (i.e., broadly framed), pharmaceuticals in treated wastewater, pharmaceuticals in drinking water, and pharmaceuticals in crops. Two factors explained most of the variance of risk assessments: dread and unknown. The dread factor combined immediacy and severity of effects, and the old nature of hazards. Pharmaceuticals in crops and drinking water scored higher in this factor, as did experts and French respondents. The unknown factor differentiated between the assessments of lay people and experts. Lay people assessed the hazards as being more known by those who were exposed but less known by science; and exposure was perceived as more voluntary and the risk as more controllable. Even though pharmaceutical residues are present in much higher concentrations in treated wastewater, risk assessments were overall higher for drinking water and crops. Moreover, data also revealed risk management preferences: whereas lay people preferred technological and awareness-type measures, experts preferred measures to improve the disposal of pharmaceutical waste and health-type measures.

FORECASTING OF FORMATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL GLASS WASTE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COVID-19 DATABASE

Subject of research: forecasting the formation of pharmaceutical glass waste in medical institutions, taking into account the peculiarities of the use of medicines during the COVID-19 epidemic in Ukraine. Research problem: Predicting the formation and accumulation of pharmaceutical glass waste in hospitals in order to implement effective environmental management and determine the resource possibilities for further waste disposal. Main scientific results: A model has been developed that can be used to predict the generation of pharmaceutical waste from glass in hospitals in the country during an epidemic, as well as in the presence of the necessary input data in a non-epidemic period. Based on regression analysis and using the Minitab-19 software, the dependences of the volume of pharmaceutical waste from glass on three variable factors were determined. Using statistical data on the incidence of COVID-19 in Ukraine, using the developed model, the PGW volume in the Volyn region for a given period of time was calculated. The scope of practical application of the research results: planning of measures to improve the environmental safety of handling pharmaceutical glass waste; development of business models for the disposal of this waste. An innovative technological product: the predictive model helps to identify the resource possibilities of using pharmaceutical glass waste for industrial waste disposal. Scope of application of the innovative technological product: medical waste management, industrial disposal of pharmaceutical glass waste.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Unused and Expired Medication Disposal among Patients Visiting Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Background Accumulation of unused and expired medicines at home is a source of environmental hazards and public health problems due to lack of awareness on appropriate medicine disposal methods. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of unused and expired medicine disposal among patients visiting Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 patients who visited Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital outpatient pharmacy from April to June 2019. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the participants, and data was collected by a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. The data were entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics on sample characteristics was computed, and results were presented in the form percentage using table and statements. Results Out of the 384 respondents included in the study, 205 (53.4%) of them were males. More than half (199 (51.8%)) of the respondents did not correctly knew about medicine waste, and 233 (60.7%) of them did not have any prior information regarding medicine waste disposal instruction. But 351 (91.4%) of the participants correctly responded that inappropriate unused and expired medicine disposal can cause environmental harm. Above half (218 (56.8%)) of the respondents “agreed” about the potential risks related to having unused/expired medicines at home, and 206 (53.6%) of them “strongly agreed” that children are more vulnerable. One hundred fifty-nine respondents had unused/expired medicines in their homes. The most commonly used disposal practice for unused medicines were throwing them in a household trash as reported by 297 (77.3%) followed by flushing unused medications in toilet/sink 152 (39.6%). Throwing them away in household garbage and flushing them in toilet/sink were also the most commonly preferred disposal practice for expired medicines. Conclusion The majority of the study participants dispose unused and expired medicine in household garbage and toilet/sink. This is against the recommendations of both national and international policies and guidelines on safe and appropriate pharmaceutical waste disposal.

The efficiency of removing metronidazole and ciprofloxacin antibiotics as pharmaceutical wastes during the process of composting

ABSTRACT Nowadays, the increasing use of antibiotics to control the disease and also the inappropriate management and disposal of pharmaceutical wastes in various health centres, cause environmental problems and threaten human health. So, the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficiency of removing metronidazole and ciprofloxacin antibiotics, which are two highly consumed drugs, during the process of composting. In this experimental, applied study, a mixture of animal manure, fruit wastes, straw, and sludge was used to prepare the compost. Metronidazole and ciprofloxacin were added to the compost reactors at three concentrations of 20, 50, and 100 mg/kg. Moreover, the temperature, humidity, pH, and C/N conditions of the compost were controlled. The samples were taken from the reactors weekly, and then HPLC equipped with UV detector was used to analyse the antibiotics. Finally, all the data were analysed using SPSS software. The efficacy of removing antibiotics at the end of the thermophilic phase was 99.9, 96.73, and 93.48% for 20, 50 and, 100 mg/kg metronidazole and 89.47, 88.81, and 86.46% for ciprofloxacin, respectively. At the end of the process, the efficiency of metronidazole and ciprofloxacin removal for all the six reactors was 99.99%.The physical-chemical properties of the final compost were in the standard range. The use of an aerobic composting process to remove metronidazole and ciprofloxacin is considered as an effective and environmentally friendly approach. At the end of the process, 99.99% metronidazole and ciprofloxacin were removed.

Disposal Practices of Unused Medications Among Patients in Public Health Centers of Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study.

Disposal of pharmaceutical waste among patients is a global challenge especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Improper medication disposal can lead to health problems and environmental contaminations. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess disposal practices of unused medications among patients in public health centers of Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 263 patients in four public health centers of Dessie town, Ethiopia from March to June, 2019. Face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires were used to collect data from each study subject. The majority of the respondents, 224 (85.17%) had unused medications at their home during the study period. The most commonly reported disposal method in the present study was flushing down into a toilet 66 (25.09%). None of the respondents practiced returning unused medications to Pharmacy. Moreover, 85 (32.31%) of the respondents reported never disposing their medications and believed that it is acceptable to store medications at home for future use. In the present study, there was a high practice of keeping medications at home and most of the disposal practices were not recommended methods. In addition, most of the respondents did not get advice from pharmacists and other health care professionals on how to dispose off unused medications. Hence, there is a need for proper education and guidance of patients regarding disposal practices of unused medications.

Occurrence, Human Health Risks, and Public Awareness Level of Pharmaceuticals in Tap Water from Putrajaya (Malaysia)

Pharmaceutical residue pollution remains as an underexplored issue, especially in Asian countries. Along with that line, the purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in tap water and its associated potential health risks, involving a total of 80 Putrajaya residents. Besides, this study also aimed to evaluate public awareness (knowledge, attitude, and practice) levels with regards to pharmaceutical handling. The highest pharmaceutical residue occurrence was caffeine (0.38 ng/L) while the lowest was diclofenac (0.14 ng/L). These pharmaceutical residue occurrences in tap water were linked with rapid urbanization and industrialization in river water, poor removal efficiencies in wastewater and drinking water treatment plants as well as improper pharmaceutical waste handling and disposal from the general public. The potential health risks (RQT) indicated residents in Putrajaya with ages between 61 and 75 were exposed to the highest health risks caused by the pharmaceutical residues in tap water. In general, low public awareness (knowledge, attitude, and practice) levels were identified with only 44.5% of Putrajaya population having good knowledge, 27.5% having good attitude and 1.6% having good practice related to pharmaceutical handling and its effect to tap water quality. Findings of this study reflected the importance of public awareness program to educate the general public on proper unused/expired handling and disposal to minimize pharmaceutical pollution.

Disposal Practices of Unused Medications Among Patients in Public Health Centers of Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Survey.

BackgroundDisposal of pharmaceutical waste among patients is a global challenge, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Improper medication disposal can lead to health problems and environmental contamination. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess disposal practices of unused medications among patients in public health centers of Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 263 patients in four public health centers of Dessie town, Ethiopia from March to June 2019. Face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires were used to collect data from each study subject.ResultsThe majority of the respondents, 224 (85.17%), had unused medications at their home during the study period. The most commonly reported disposal method in the present study was flushing down into a toilet, 66 (25.09%). None of the respondents practiced returning unused medications to the pharmacy. Moreover, 85 (32.31%) of the respondents reported never disposing of their medications and believed that it is acceptable to store medications at home for future use.ConclusionIn the present study, there was a high practice of keeping medications at home and most of the disposal practices were not recommended methods. In addition, most of the respondents did not receive advice from pharmacists and other health-care professionals on how to dispose of unused medications. Hence, there is a need for proper education and guidance of patients about disposal practices of unused medications.

A study to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding safe disposal of pharmaceutical wastes among 2nd year medical and para-medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India

Background: The use of pharmaceutical products in our day to day life is escalating and one cannot deny their presence in every household. Unfortunately not all the medicines that reach our homes get consumed. Unused, unwanted and expired drugs get accumulated over time and are generally disposed along with other household trash thus contributing to environmental pollution. This turns our attention towards the significance of eco-pharmacovigilance. Assessing the level of knowledge and awareness of students under training as health care professionals regarding safe disposal of pharmaceutical wastes can help us to partly assess the magnitude of the problem of inappropriate disposal methods and help us to plan and initiate steps to prevent the hazards caused by improper disposal of these items.Methods: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical and paramedical students of a tertiary care teaching hospital using a pre-validated questionnaire from previous studies.Results: Majority of the participants were not aware of the possible hazards of improper disposal of pharmaceutical wastes. They expressed the need for awareness programs regarding the subject.Conclusions: The study revealed the practice of drug accumulation at home. The disposal methods opted by the participants were not the recommended methods. There is a need to address this issue through awareness programs at various levels.

Update on pharmaceutical waste disposal regulations: Strategies for success

Update on pharmaceutical waste disposal regulations: Strategies for success

Consumer willingness to pay for a pharmaceutical disposal program in Serbia: A double hurdle modeling approach

Proper collection and disposal of pharmaceutical waste from households can reduce the negative influence of medicines on the environment. The aim of this paper is to examine the current methods of disposal of unused medicines from households, as well as the willingness of Serbian residents to participate and bear the costs of an organized collection program. Moreover, this research aims to define factors contributing to an individual's willingness to participate and pay for a medicine collection program. The survey included randomly selected patients older than 18 years visiting private pharmacies in the four largest Serbian cities. The questionnaire included information regarding the presence of unwanted medicines within the household, general medicine disposal practices, the likelihood to participate in a medicine take-back program, willingness to pay for a medicine disposal program (per prescription and per visit), importance to the environment, and demographic variables from participants. Approximately 80% of surveyed respondents are very or somewhat likely to participate, however less than half of the respondents are willing to pay for the collection of their unused medicines. The factors that influenced willingness to participate are environmental awareness and income, while the factors affecting willingness to pay, are previously received advice about proper disposal, education level, number of unwanted medicines in the household and gender. The majority of Serbian people dispose unused medicines improperly, mostly into household garbage. Well-organized and easily accessible collection programs are essential in order to enable the general public to return unused medicines for proper disposal.

Mechanisms of bacterial conversion and degradation of pharma pollutants from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Recently, there has been a steady increase in fundamental interest in studying the degree of bioavailability and toxic effects of pharmaceutical pollutants on natural microorganisms, which play the role of a primary response system to the xenobiotic load in the environment. Employing the bioresources of the Regional Specialised Collection of Alkanotrophic Microorganisms (IEGM, Large-Scale Research Facilities number 73559, WDCM # 768, http://www.iegmcol.ru), the ability of actinobacteria of the genus Rhodococcus to decompose complex aromatic compounds that constitute the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) widely used for medical purposes was first established. Active biodegraders of diclofenac and ibuprofen, which dominate among NSAIDs detected in the natural environment and pose the greatest potential risk to hydrobiota and humans, were selected. The kinetics and main characteristics of the biodegradation process of the tested pharmaceutical pollutants were investigated depending on the physiological state and culture conditions of their biodegraders. Cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases were shown to participate in the initial oxidation of the pharma pollutants. The products of bacterial decomposition of the ecotoxicants were identified, the pathways of their biodegradation were characterized, and the mathematical models of the process of complete bacterial degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants in high concentrations were described. For the first time, evidence for the C-N bond breaking and aromatic ring opening in the diclofenac structure accompanied by the formation of metabolites harmless to living organisms was obtained. Potential bioactivity of individual metabolites of diclofenac and ibuprofen was evaluated. The most typical reactions of rhodococci exposed to NSAIDs were as follows: changes in the zeta potential, morphometric parameters and degree of hydrophobicity of bacterial cells, an increased content of total cellular lipids, and the formation of bacterial associates. The obtained results are considered to be mechanisms of rhodococci adaptation and their increased resistance to toxic effects of the pharmaceutical pollutants tested. The obtained fundamental data elucidate the environmental role of rhodococci in detoxification of pharma pollutants and underpin the implementation of innovative technical solutions for advanced pharmaceutical sewage treatment and the pharmaceutical waste disposal.

Antimicrobial resistance: Causes and impact on public health in developed and developing countries

Antibiotic-resistance (AR) has become an alarming issue, posing threats to public health in terms of mortality and economic loss. The drivers of AR include environmental contamination from varied sources, ultimately making its way into our drinking water and food. Other factors include reckless use of antibiotics by the uneducated health workers, unhygienic situation of the hospitals, overconsumption and careless discharge of medicines by the general populace, injudicious use of antibiotics in the livestock, and indiscriminate disposal of untreated pharmaceutical wastes into the municipal water have caused several health hazards, such as “AR in infants,” respiratory disorders, and cancer. Furthermore, the sewage treatment process itself augments the antimicrobial resistance crisis. Hence, it is an alarming issue which must be taken care at the global level as well as the national level.

Effects of industrial effluents containing moderate levels of antibiotic mixtures on the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial community composition in exposed creek sediments

Environmental discharges of very high (mg/L) antibiotic levels from pharmaceutical production contributed to the selection, spread and persistence of antibiotic resistance. However, the effects of less antibiotic-polluted effluents (μg/L) from drug-formulation on exposed aquatic microbial communities are still scarce. Here we analyzed formulation effluents and sediments from the receiving creek collected at the discharge site (DW0), upstream (UP) and 3000 m downstream of discharge (DW3000) during winter and summer season. Chemical analyses indicated the largest amounts of trimethoprim (up to 5.08 mg/kg) and azithromycin (up to 0.39 mg/kg) at DW0, but sulfonamides accumulated at DW3000 (total up to 1.17 mg/kg). Quantitative PCR revealed significantly increased relative abundance of various antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) against β-lactams, macrolides, sulfonamides, trimethoprim and tetracyclines in sediments from DW0, despite relatively high background levels of some ARGs already at UP site. However, only sulfonamide (sul2) and macrolide ARG subtypes (mphG and msrE) were still elevated at DW3000 compared to UP. Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed pronounced changes in the sediment bacterial community composition from both DW sites compared to UP site, regardless of the season. Numerous taxa with increased relative abundance at DW0 decreased to background levels at DW3000, suggesting die-off or lack of transport of effluent-originating bacteria. In contrast, various taxa that were more abundant in sediments than in effluents increased in relative abundance at DW3000 but not at DW0, possibly due to selection imposed by high sulfonamide levels. Network analysis revealed strong correlation between some clinically relevant ARGs (e.g. blaGES, blaOXA, ermB, tet39, sul2) and taxa with elevated abundance at DW sites, and known to harbour opportunistic pathogens, such as Acinetobacter, Arcobacter, Aeromonas and Shewanella. Our results demonstrate the necessity for improved management of pharmaceutical and rural waste disposal for mitigating the increasing problems with antibiotic resistance.

Development of modern approaches to forming ecological responsibility of pharmacists for good disposal of medicine

Expansion of spectrum of the medical and pharmaceutical services leads to an annual increase in the use of medicines, and as a consequence of an increase in the amount of pharmaceutical waste. The pharmacy, in accordance with the requirements of Good Pharmacy Practice, should ensure the effective disposal of medicines that have become inadequate in the process of pharmacy production, storage or retail sale or not used by the population. In this regard, socially important to ensure the proper management of pharmaceutical waste at the pharmacy.&#x0D; The aim of the work was the development of modern approaches to the formation of ecological responsibility of specialists for good disposal of medicines at the stage of providing pharmaceutical care to the population.&#x0D; The objects of the study were the data of special literature and regulations on disposal of medicines in the countries of the European Union and in Ukraine. Used methods – analytical-comparative, systemic, logical, modeling and generalization.&#x0D; Based on the analysis of the organization of the activities of pharmacies, as part of the general system of the disposal of pharmaceutical waste, including medicines, in different countries of the European Union found that most of them pharmacies – active participants in this process. Significant differences were found in the approaches to the collection and disposal of pharmaceutical waste in different countries. At the same time, these measures are most effectively implemented by pharmacies under the conditions of financial coverage by the pharmaceutical industry and wholesale pharmaceutical companies for the costs of preventing ecological impacts and conducting educational activities. As a result of systematization of the material, it is proposed to implement the draft National Standard of Good Pharmacy Practice «Participation of Pharmacists the Disposal of Medicines» as one of the ways of solving this problem.&#x0D; An analysis of modern approaches to the management of pharmaceutical waste management systems in the countries of the European Union shows the active participation of pharmacies in the process. Particular importance in this case is given to conducting informational work to increase the ecological consciousness of the population, which will reduce the impact of pharmaceutical waste on the environment.

Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Selangor, Malaysia-Policy, Public Perception, and Current Practices.

Although pharmaceuticals treat illnesses and prevent diseases in humans and animals, ironically, they are now among the emerging pollutants in the environment. As individuals continue to consume medicines, households can become a primary source of pharmaceutical pollutants. This paper explains relevant Malaysian law and policy on the issue. Using a questionnaire survey, it also assesses public perception concerning the environmental impact of pharmaceutical waste and the current methods of disposal that are practiced in Selangor. The survey used a convenience sampling and the data collected were analysed using statistical descriptive analysis. Most of the participants were aware that pharmaceutical waste can have an adverse impact on the environment and public health. Half of the participants disposed of their pharmaceutical waste in trash bins. About 2.9% of the respondents poured their household pharmaceutical waste (HPW) directly down the drain, while 8.8% poured them down the sink in the kitchen or toilet. The study also discovered that while 73.8% of the respondents felt that HPW should be separated from other household solid waste, only 25.2% returned their medicinal waste through the medicine return-back programme. The majority of the respondents (82.5%) agreed that information concerning the proper disposal of HPW is insufficient. The study concludes that while the respondents were aware of the adverse impact of HPW, their practices to ensure proper disposal is discouraging. There is a need for effective unwanted medicines return-back programme as a more prudent disposal method of HPW to avoid any risk to the environment or human health.

Intra-Urban Solid Waste Disposal Practice in Selected Hospitals in Ota, Nigeria

The study examined waste disposal options employed by the different hospital authorities in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. This is with a view to ascertaining whether the methods are environment-friendly. Data for the research were obtained through questionnaire administration and interview. There are thirty eight (38) hospitals distributed within the five (5) wards in Ota Township. For the purpose of this study, 25% of the hospitals were sampled. Using stratified sampling technique, two hospitals were selected from each ward. This translated to 10 hospitals. Questionnaires were administered to all cleaners in each of the hospitals, while interview was conducted on head of the hospitals and waste management team where available. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study shows that virtually all the surveyed hospitals adopted the same methods for disposing their medical waste components.It could be concluded that methods employed in the disposal of pathological, pharmaceutical, sharps, radioactive, infectious and general waste were inadequate. The study recommends the use of modern approach and technology in the disposal of medical waste in order to forestall inherent hazards.

Green pharmacy - a narrative review.

IntroductionActive pharmaceutical ingredients are present in various sections of the environment, because of both the human and veterinary use of medicinal products. Ways of minimizing the risk of environmental contamination should be observed during all pharmaceutical activities (research, manufacturing, prescribing, dispensing and disposal of medicinal products).MethodsFor the present study we searched specific literature on this subject, using the main international databases (Thomson Reuters – Web of Science, SCOPUS and Science Direct).ResultsThis narrative review focuses on the main aspects concerning environmental contamination with medicinal products. Consequently, the present study is structured on four different topics: environmental research on medicinal products, minimizing environmental contamination, waste disposal management and towards a greener community pharmacy.ConclusionWaste management activities are important for reducing the presence of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the environment. Pharmacists should inform patients on proper pharmaceutical waste disposal and organize collection programs for unused and expired medicines, in order to develop a greener pharmacy for the future.