Disposal of medications is a serious concern both for healthcare professionals as well as for consumers. According to a report published this year in Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice, the Central Pollution Control Board of India has suggested that 4057 tonnes of waste is generated by healthcare facilities per day. Powerful pharmaceuticals like antibiotics have been found to be present in waterbodies and these can be extremely harmful for algae and other marine creatures. In certain industrial areas of India, it was found that Ciprofloxacin was being discharged at 45 kgs/day. Improper disposal of unused medications from pharmaceutical industries, hospitals, pharmacies and patients have been found to be at the root cause of pharmaceutical related water pollution.
Source: Kadam et al. Pharmaceutical Waste Management An Overview. Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 2018. 9(1): 2-8.
