End-of-life management strategies of pharmaceuticals in Portuguese households

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Belmira Neto (Author) FEUP; Anabela Veiga (Author) Other; Cláudia Sousa (Author) Other; Manuel Joaquim Oliveira (Author) FEUP; Ana Sousa (Author) Other

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH

ISSN: 0734-242X

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

ScienceDirect (Elsevier)

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-02J

DOI: 10.1177/0734242x221105416

Abstract (EN): The end of life of pharmaceutical products through environmentally unsafe routes is a growing concern in our society. However, the studies reported so far, apart from being limited in number, do not reflect the current management practices for the end-of-life management of pharmaceuticals. Published work lacks an in-depth analysis in focusing on the pharmaceutical waste in households. The present work focused on (1) performing a state-of-the art overview to compare worldwide studies and the results and (2) implementing a comprehensive survey in Portugal (n = 454 respondents). The results showed that the delivery to pharmacies was used by the majority of the respondents (72%), indicating a good awareness of pharmaceutical waste management issues, when compared to the reviewed studies. Statistically significant variables for the destination of end-of-use pharmaceuticals include gender, age and distance from the residence to the pharmacy (p < 0.05). Most participants believe that educating the population on existing structures of medication and packaging management is of the utmost importance to improve the national managing system. This is the first study conducted in Portugal; it includes statistical analysis of the data and reflects on the practices that should be adopted to reduce incorrect pharmaceutical waste disposal. These findings call upon the strategies to strengthen the pharmaceutical waste management programme.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13