Management of Pharmaceutical Waste

Pharmaceutical products are vital for disease prevention and treatment, but their rising production and consumption have generated significant pharmaceutical waste from households, farms, healthcare facilities, and industries due to routine use, damage, or expiry. Improper disposal releases active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) into the environment, contaminating surface water, groundwater, and public systems with traces of drugs like diclofenac and ibuprofen, whose effects on non-target organisms are largely unknown. Inadequate disposal knowledge leads to pollution, poisoning, antimicrobial resistance, and health risks. This review examines waste sources, disposal methods, consequences of improper disposal, and pharmacists’ role in promoting safe practices. Findings highlight global waste volumes and environmental contamination, urging sustainable management strategies, policies, awareness campaigns, and advanced treatment technologies to minimize impacts on health and ecosystems.