Pharmaceuticals and the Environment: Mitigating a Growing Concern

Recently, the intersection of pharmaceuticals and environmental health has become an urgent and pressing concern, garnering significant attention from scientists, policymakers, and the public alike.

Pharmaceuticals, while providing immense benefits to people and animals, pose a potential risk to the environment, particularly as many drugs are broken down by humans and then released into water bodies and soil. These compounds can affect aquatic life and potentially enter the human food chain, raising serious concerns over long-term ecological and health impacts.

Environmental Impact

The primary environmental contamination occurs through various channels, including improper medication disposal, agricultural runoff, human excretion, and waste from pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Studies have shown that active pharmaceutical ingredients are being detected in water bodies globally. Traces of drugs like antibiotics, antidepressants, and hormones are found in rivers and streams across over 71 countries. Outside of approved pharmaceuticals, even substances like cocaine have been found in water.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has highlighted that pharmaceuticals enter the environment primarily through human waste, which is only sometimes fully treated by wastewater treatment plants. Current systems are not designed to effectively filter out pharmaceuticals, leading to their presence in aquatic ecosystems.

Statistics show concerning figures – globally, it is estimated that 50% of antibiotics are disposed of incorrectly. Geological surveys conducted in the US found pharmaceuticals in 80% of the rivers and streams sampled in the United States alone, highlighting a widespread issue.

Recommendations to Decrease Pharmaceutical Waste

Addressing the environmental impact of pharmaceutical waste requires a multifaceted approach involving individuals, industries, and governments:

Improved Wastewater Treatment:
Investment in advanced wastewater treatment technologies, such as activated carbon and advanced oxidation processes, can better capture APIs before they reach natural water bodies.

Eco-friendly Drug Design:
Encourage pharmaceutical companies to develop 'green' drugs that break down more easily without losing efficacy.

Policy Implementation:
Governments can strengthen regulations on pharmaceutical disposal and manufacturing emissions. Policy initiatives like pharmaceutical take-back programs can encourage proper disposal.

Public Awareness and Education:
Raising awareness about the impact of pharmaceuticals on the environment can motivate individuals to adopt responsible disposal practices.

Practical Insights for Disposing of Old and Unused Medications

How should you handle unused or expired medications?

Do not flush: Avoid disposing of medications in a toilet or sink unless the label or patient information specifically instructs you to do so.

Pharmacy Take-back Programs: One of the safest ways to dispose of medications is to use pharmacy take-back programs or community drug take-back events, which are periodically organized in many areas.

Household Disposal Steps: If take-back programs are not available, some medications can be thrown in the trash after being mixed with  used coffee grounds or cat litter, placed in a sealed plastic bag to prevent leakage, and disposed of in the household trash.   

Cat litter is  an option for safely disposing  medications by making them less appealing and more challenging  to access for children, pets, and individuals who could unwittingly ingest them. Combining medications with cat litter changes the texture and odor, and helps to keep curious hands and paws from exploring thereby reducing the risk of accidental poisonings. Additionally, this method ensures that medications are not easily retrieved or consumed, promoting safer disposal practices in households. Mixing medications with cat litter or other undesirable items, like coffee grounds, masks their appearance and smell, which helps deter accidental ingestion. Additionally, the litter absorbs liquid medications, reducing the risk of leakage and contamination when disposed of in the trash.

Beware of Labels:  Make sure to protect your privacy by removing any personal information on the label before disposing of a medication container.

By adopting these simple practices and supporting initiatives to reduce pharmaceutical pollution, individuals and communities can play a crucial role in protecting our ecosystems and public health.  Pharmaceutical companies must also continue to design new methods for both safe disposal of waste and options for cleaner products.  The journey towards a cleaner environment is a collective responsibility, requiring joint action from all sectors of society.

Kathryn Munoz, PhD, MPH is a the founder of BioPharma Accelerator Coaching.  She has spent decades in the pharmaceutical industry, working with everything from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups.  She has played significant roles in the launch of over 20 new products and indicaitons.  Now, as a columnist for Louder.News, she brings us PHARMA INK: A LOOK BEHIND THE MEDICINES YOU TAKE.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-munoz-631b5978/