Potential Ways to Reduce Environmental Pollution from the Health Care Sector – Pharmaceutical Waste

Abstract

The aim of the thesis was to analyze potential ways to reduce environmental pollution from the health care sector with a focus on human pharmaceutical waste. Therefore, tasks of the thesis were to investigate the impact of pharmaceutical waste on the healthcare system and health of the society. As well as promote different ways to improve environmental pollution, where statistical information on different countries is examined. The hypothesis of the paper was that pharmaceutical waste is found especially in the aquatic system and can have toxicological effects on human health. Therefore, reducing pharmaceutical waste has a positive environmental impact for the health of a population, especially through more education, more conscious handling of drugs in the hospital and with the help of every individual patient. Concluding the literature review, pharmaceutical production facilities have high concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the wastewater compared to alpine regions. Variations between developed and undeveloped countries could be detected. The results indicate that hospital wastewater contributes to a significant increase in antibiotics in wastewater systems and surface water. Demonstrating the need for improved wastewater treatment processes to reduce environmental pollution and potential risks for environment and human health. Analgesics, antibiotics, and anticonvulsants are mostly associated with high concentration levels. Ecotoxicological studies indicate that the detected concentrations have no acute health risks to humans but a lack of long-term data on chronic exposure and potential health effects was found. As an example, overprescribing and suboptimal adherence to medical treatment plans contributes to the wastefulness of healthcare resources. In different countries there are different pharmaceutical waste disposal possibilities, discovering a deficiency of public awareness and education. Poor medication adherence and storage practices were observed, leading to ineffective take-back programs. Enhancing education and raising awareness are crucial in promoting responsible medication use and disposal. It is evident that these programs have not yet gained widespread acceptance in society, and more awareness does not necessarily lead to behavioral changes in pharmaceutical waste disposal. To achieve positive outcomes within a short timeframe, it is essential to combine the discussed points and implement suggested improvements. In summary, it can be said that the hypothesis formulated at the beginning has been partially fulfilled. Mainly pharmaceutical residues were detected in wastewater, but these are found in such low concentrations that they are not expected to have a toxicological effect on human health, although chronic health effects could not be assessed.