Introduction
With the ever-increasing prominence of global warming – almost every industry is doing its best to become ‘greener’ and more sustainable. And the pharmaceutical field is no exception.
And why wouldn’t it be?
As per a report, the global pharmaceutical industry emits 48.55 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. Alarmingly so, it’s almost 55% greater than automotive-related emissions.
So in a way, it’s a necessity to take prominent action in this matter.
Thankfully, the industry has responded pretty well to it.
In this article, we’ll share some overviews of how pharma companies are trying to reduce waste to create a better, more sustainable ecosystem. So, let’s begin.
Reducing Pharmaceutical Waste: Ways to Subdue the Challenges
The pharmaceutical industry, being a chemical-first field, is highly prone to creating a mess in the livelihood of our environment.
But, there are some ways in which the negative impact can be reduced to some extent. And both the companies and we, the users of the pharma products, are responsible for that.
Here’s how we can do it together.
What Should the Pharmaceutical Companies Do?
In this aspect, pharmaceutical companies must take the lead and follow a few routes from their perspective. The following are a few of them –
1: Establish Take-Back Programs
Facilitate the implementation and promotion of pharmaceutical take-back programs that enable consumers to return unused or expired medications to designated collection points.
Such initiatives ensure the appropriate disposal of pharmaceuticals and mitigate the risk of their inadvertent release into water bodies or landfills.
2: Heighten Education and Awareness Efforts
Convey comprehensive information to healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public regarding the environmental impact of pharmaceutical waste and the significance of its responsible disposal.
Enhancing awareness about available take-back programs and disseminating precise instructions on safe disposal methods are pivotal components of this endeavor.
3: Advocate Prescription Optimization
Encourage healthcare providers to adopt practices that minimize pharmaceutical waste generation.
By discouraging the overprescription of medications and promoting smaller prescriptions for chronic conditions, the volume of unused pharmaceuticals can be significantly reduced.
4: Foster Green Pharmacy Practices
Champion green pharmacy initiatives that emphasize environmentally conscious practices. This entails procuring medications in bulk to curtail packaging waste, employing eco-friendly packaging materials, and embracing energy-efficient protocols within pharmacy operations.
5: Strengthen Regulatory Frameworks
Advocate for more stringent regulations governing the disposal of pharmaceutical waste. Foster the implementation and enforcement of guidelines mandating –
- Pharmaceutical companies, ‘
- Healthcare facilities, and
- Other stakeholders
… to adhere to proper waste management protocols.
6: Invest in Research and Development
Allocate resources to support research and development endeavors aimed at developing more eco-friendly pharmaceuticals.
Encourage the pharmaceutical industry to invest in sustainable drug manufacturing processes and explore viable alternatives to hazardous substances.
7: Promote Safe Disposal Methods
Educate individuals on safe disposal practices for pharmaceutical waste in domestic settings.
Provide precise instructions on how to dispose of medications that cannot be returned through take-back programs, such as the secure mixing of drugs with undesirable substances (e.g. coffee grounds) within sealed bags before their disposal in regular trash receptacles.
8: Encourage Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Advocate for the adoption of extended producer responsibility programs in the pharmaceutical industry.
EPR entails assigning the responsibility for the entire lifecycle of a product, including its disposal, to the manufacturers.
By holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for the safe and environmentally sound disposal of their products, EPR programs incentivize the development of sustainable waste management practices.
9: Foster Collaboration and Partnerships
Foster collaboration among key stakeholders, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare facilities, waste management companies, and regulatory bodies.
Encourage the formation of partnerships to share knowledge, resources, and best practices for the proper handling and disposal of pharmaceutical waste.
Collaborative efforts can drive innovation and promote the adoption of sustainable solutions across the industry.
10: Invest in Waste Treatment Infrastructure
Allocate resources to improve waste treatment infrastructure and facilities dedicated to pharmaceutical waste management.
This includes supporting the development of specialized treatment technologies capable of safely and efficiently handling pharmaceutical waste, such as –
- Advanced recycling,
- Chemical neutralization, or
- High-temperature incineration.
Investing in robust infrastructure ensures the availability of appropriate disposal options and reduces the risk of environmental contamination.
If you do not want to invest in this aspect, it might be better to choose a partner like Superior Waste Disposal.
They can take care of everything in the most sustainable manner while asking for only a small amount of investment.
And, considering how good they are, it’s surely worth it.
What Should We Do?
Like the pharma companies, you, as a user, have some responsibilities to follow as well. Here is what you need to know about them –
- Use Medications As Prescribed: It’s important to follow the prescribed dosage and duration of medication use. Avoid taking more than the recommended dose, as excess medications may end up unused and contribute to waste.
- Avoid Stockpiling Medications: Only purchase or refill prescriptions when necessary. Stockpiling medications can lead to unused or expired drugs, which eventually end up as waste.
- Dispose Of Medications Properly: Instead of throwing medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet, find a local medication take-back program or participating pharmacy that collects unused or expired medications. These programs ensure proper disposal and prevent the drugs from entering the environment.
- Check Expiration Dates: Before using any medication, check the expiration date. After all, they can be potentially harmful or less effective in most cases. So, instead, it would be better if you get them disposed of as quickly as possible.
- Avoid Excessive Packaging: When purchasing medications, opt for products with minimal packaging. Excessive packaging contributes to unnecessary waste.
- Consider Generic Alternatives: Generic medications are often identical in composition and effectiveness to brand-name medications but are typically less expensive. By choosing generic alternatives, you can reduce the demand for excessive packaging associated with brand-name products.
- Use Liquid Medications Efficiently: If using liquid medications, be careful not to waste any by pouring more than necessary. Follow the instructions for measuring and administering the appropriate dose.
- Donate Unopened And Unexpired Medications: Some organizations accept donations of unopened and unexpired medications for redistribution to those in need. Check with local charities or healthcare providers to see if they accept such donations.
- Reduce Unnecessary Antibiotic Use: Antibiotics should only be used when prescribed for bacterial infections. Avoid requesting antibiotics for viral illnesses, such as the common cold or flu, as this contributes to the overuse of antibiotics and the generation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Promote Responsible Disposal: Educate friends, family, and community members about the importance of proper medication disposal. Encourage them to adopt these practices to reduce pharmaceutical waste collectively.
Furthermore, for your own safety, you should also get as much information as you can before opting for an online pharmacy.
For a Sustainable Future!
Reducing or controlling pharmaceutical waste isn’t only the responsibility of the consumer or the manufacturer. There has to be a communal and collaborative attempt to work on it.
Or else the prominence of global warming will keep increasing, contributing to the emergence of the four horsemen of death. So, let us start working on saving the world today!
Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels
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