Page 67 - ITPS-8-3

INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Knowledge, perception, and practices of ecopharmacovigilance

involvement from drug manufacturers. The findings Research conducted in Bangladesh, Nepal, and other
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of numerous research on how the public and healthcare regions of the world highlights a lack of knowledge
professionals view EPV have highlighted the need for a among medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy
clear educational plan on the topic. 28 students regarding the proper storage and disposal of
According to a Chinese survey, the public expects pharmaceuticals. Approximately 58% of students reported
healthcare professionals, preferably doctors and disposing of liquid pharmaceuticals in sinks or toilets,
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pharmacists, to educate them about pharmacovigilance. which finally enter wastewater systems. Pharmacies,
Efforts to include EPV into the education of future medical where students obtain their medications, would be ideal
practitioners are already underway. For example, pharmacy locations for education on this matter. The curricula
students at the University of Groningen participated for medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy graduates
in a course titled “To Decrease Pharmaceuticals in should address safe and appropriate pharmaceutical
Groundwater.” Furthermore, a postgraduate degree on disposal. In addition, legislative authorities should take
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pharmaceutical contamination is offered in Spain, and these matters into consideration. 50,51 Pharmaceutical
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four EU universities have launched a 2-year program consumption in Bangladesh is increasing daily.
named “Sustainable Drug Discovery.” 39,40 During Bangladesh’s annual pharmaceutical consumption is
manufacturing, use, and disposal, active pharmaceutical likely among the highest in the world due to its dense
ingredients leak into the environment, contributing to population, numerous widely recognized pharmaceutical
an estimated 58,000 neonatal deaths each year from organizations, and affordable access to almost all sorts
drug-resistant diseases. In the US, approximately of medications. However, many prescribed drugs often
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30 billion doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory go unused for various reasons, including brand name
drugs are prescribed annually. Furthermore, leftover replacements in prescriptions, adverse drug reactions, and
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pharmaceuticals can lead to poisoning, both accidental patient recovery leading to treatment discontinuation.
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and intentional and may encourage self-medication. However, there are still very few regulations governing
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Irrational prescribing can contribute to pharmaceutical the regular monitoring, management, and control
waste; thus, future prescribers should be aware of proper of pharmaceuticals in the environment as emerging
disposal methods and the potential consequences of pollutants, which would lead to the continuous discharge
improper pharmaceutical disposal. According to a study of pharmaceuticals into the environment. 17,54 At the 2015
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in Nepal, even pharmacists lack sufficient knowledge and International Conference on Chemicals Management,
awareness of safe pharmaceutical disposal, highlighting non-governmental organizations and the pharmaceutical
the necessity of a safe pharmaceutical take-back program. industry recognized the urgent need to protect the
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The pharmaceutical take-back program is a safe and environment from “pharmaceutical pollution” due to
environmentally responsible way to dispose of leftover and the widespread presence of pharmaceutical residues and
expired medications. The drugs are returned to pharmacies their possible environmental risks. 55,56 The purpose of
or law enforcement agencies and destroyed without this research is to evaluate the current understanding of
causing a threat to the environment. In nations such this crucial issue among Bangladeshi medical students.
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as Australia and Canada, medicine take-back programs As future healthcare professionals, these students play an
are well-established and authorized by the government. important role in both applying EPV principles in their
Likewise, nations such as Sweden and the US have effective professional practice and educating the public on the
pharmaceutical waste management system in place. subject. Healthcare professionals, particularly prescribers
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There are several ways to dispose pharmaceutical waste, and dispensers, are responsible for promoting rational
including chemical, physical, biological, and recycling prescription policies that assure the safe and efficient use
techniques. According to the World Health Organization of medications, with a focus on the prescriber’s role. Given
(WHO) guidelines on pharmaceutical waste management, the rapid advancements in the healthcare industry, it is
healthcare waste should not be burned outdoors, as it equally necessary for emerging healthcare professionals
may pose environmental hazards. Various modern end- to mentor and guide their seniors. Since EPV affects
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of-pipe technologies, such as photo-assisted processes, both environmental sustainability and public health, its
biodegradation, ozonation, and extended filtration, have significance cannot be underestimated.
been developed by environmental specialists to improve the
removal of pharmaceutical pollutants from environmental 2. Materials and methods
matrices. However, factors such as practical stability, cost-
effectiveness, and ease of use restrict their implementation 2.1. Study design
in traditional sewage treatment plants. 48,49 This was a questionnaire-based and cross-sectional study.

Volume 8 Issue 3 (2025) 61 doi: 10.36922/itps.7678