Page 70 - ITPS-8-3

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

Table 3. Practices related to EPV among medical students antimicrobial residues. The finding for this aspect was not
(n=300) statistically significant (p=0.674).
Survey questions Responses, 4. Discussion
number (%)
1. How often do you check the expiry date of your The WHO defines pharmacovigilance as “the science
medications? and activities relating to the detection, assessment,
Often 221 (73.7) understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or
Sometimes 57 (19) any other possible drug-related problems.” Due to its
Rarely 20 (6.7) importance in reducing the harmful effects associated with
Never 2 (0.7) pharmaceutical residues, EPV has drawn significant interest
2. How often do you take your medications according from the research community as a significant application of
to the advice of your doctor or pharmacist? pharmacovigilance in environmental science. 3,8,11 Globally,
Often 220 (73.3) EPV should be promoted, particularly in developing
Sometimes 66 (22) nations with dense populations and often insufficient
Rarely 13 (4.3) sewage treatment systems. The successful adoption of
Never 1 (0.3) EPV by medical students and their subsequent behavioral
3. When multiple medications are prescribed to changes depends on their comprehensive understanding,
you or your family members, do you use only the knowledge, and positive perception of the issue, which
prescribed medications? could improve the efficacy of EPV implementation.
Often 157 (52.3)
Sometimes 119 (39.7) To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in
Rarely 18 (6) Bangladesh to assess medical students’ understanding,
Never 6 (2) perceptions, and practices related to EPV and environmental
4. How often do you practice self-medication for pharmaceutical contamination. Only 27% of the participants
minor illness, such as fever or headaches? were familiar with EPV, highlighting the urgent need for
Often 145 (48.3) comprehensive education on the subject for medical students.
Sometimes 111 (37) A separate study conducted in Bangladesh revealed that
Rarely 13 (10) pharmacy students possessed limited knowledge regarding
Never 14 (4.7) proper medication disposal methods. Approximately 58%
5. How often do you buy OTC medications that of students disposed of their liquid medications in sinks
require a valid prescription? or toilets, where they ultimately reached the wastewater
51
Often 89 (29.7) treatment system. The respondents’ knowledge of the
Sometimes 132 (44) ecological hazards posed by drug residues and the increased
Rarely 68 (22.7) antibiotic resistance in bacterial communities, potentially
Never 11 (3.7) caused by antimicrobial residues in the environment. This
6. What factors limit the use of medications prescribed includes the destruction of many Asian Gyps vultures due to
to your family members? veterinary diclofenac residues, the feminization of male fish,
Forgetfulness 129 (43) and the sterility of frogs, which may result from hormonal
Medication ineffectiveness 15 (5) compounds in water. The accuracy rates for these issues
Medications adverse effects 32 (10.7) were77.7%, 68%, and 60%, respectively. These potential
Improvement of health condition 124 (41.3) environmental hazards associated with antibacterials
7. What do you do with any unused medications and hormonal compounds align with the usual impacts
remaining at your home or hostel? of pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotic-induced bacterial
Throw away in household garbage 59 (19.7) resistance and the endocrine-disrupting effects of hormones.
Keep at home until it gets expired 218 (72.7) Gyps vulture populations in the Indian subcontinent were
Burn them along with garbage 1 (0.3) largely destroyed due to diclofenac. Approximately 97.3%
Return it to pharmacy shop 22 (7.3) of participants expressed a desire to learn more about
8. Have you ever educated your friends or family take-back programs, safe disposal techniques, potential
members about the safe and proper disposal of environmental pharmaceutical residues, and the handling
medicines? of unwanted medications, indicating an active interest in
Yes 68 (22.7) environmental protection. The study’s most promising
No 232 (70.3) result is that 99% of students expressed interest in using eco-
Abbreviations: EPV: Ecopharmacovigilance; OTC: Over-the-counter. friendly methods for disposing of unwanted medications in

Volume 8 Issue 3 (2025) 64 doi: 10.36922/itps.7678