1.
Rashmi Zalpuri
– Tephra Bioscience Llp, India.
2.
Vishal Kamra
– Tephra Bioscience Llp, India.
3.
Swati Gupta
– Tephra Bioscience Llp, India.
4.
Aarti Garg
– Tephra Bioscience Llp, India.
Abstract
Pharmaceutical waste is a major contributor to the
destruction of the environment to a certain extent. Prior
to commercialisation and distribution, most medications
are studied for human safety and efficacy, but their
possible detrimental effects on the environment have
not been determined. Pharmaceutical chemicals such
as analgesics, antidepressants, antihypertensive,
contraceptives, antibiotics, steroids, and hormones
have been found in ground water, home waste water,
and industrial effluents at various amounts. Untreated
or partially treated wastes are discharged or discarded
directly into the environment due to a lack of stringent
controls. As a result, proper legislation and monitoring
are required to prevent pharmaceutical effluents from
entering drinking water sources, thereby protecting the
environment from health risks. This document gives an
overview of the various routes by which medicines enter
the environment. It also gives an update on current
legislation and penalties for improper pharmaceutical
disposal, as well as the consequences for human
health.
Keywords Pharmaceutical Waste, Drug Disposal, Unused Medicines, Environmental Pollution, Impact of Pharma Waste
