Pharmaceutical waste management – environmental and health consequences

Upravljanje farmaceutskim otpadom započinje njegovim pravilnim odlaganjem. Tako se može djelomično pratiti i količina toksičnog otpada koja završava u okolišu, ali se ne može spriječiti dospijevanje štetnih tvari u okoliš kao ni utjecati na biotransformaciju i djelovanje u okolišu. Lijekovi i njihovi metaboliti najlakše dospijevaju u okoliš izlučivanjem iz humanih i animalnih organizama i putem otpadnih voda. Zbog nepotpunog izdvajanja sustavima pročišćavanja, osim u zraku i tlu, određene koncentracije mogu se detektirati najviše u površinskim, a manje u podzemnim vodama i vodi za piće. Metaboliti lijekova mogu biti više toksični od izvorne tvari. Nekontrolirana i velika potrošnja lijekova utječe na poremećaj prirodne ravnoteže, može izazvati ekološke katastrofe i sekundarnu medikalizaciju stanovništava putem zagađenja vode za piće što može doprinijeti visokom riziku za zdravlje ljudi i životinja. Danas postojeći primjeri hormonalnog disbalansa u određenim populacijama vodozemaca mogu se već smatrati prvim indikatorima takvog utjecaja na okoliš. Zakonskim odredbama utvrđeno je postupanje s takvom vrstom otpada, ali nedovoljna uključenost zakonodavnih tijela koja bi sankcionirala nepridržavanje propisa vodi do štetnih posljedica za zdravlje i okoliš, a podaci o neproporcionalno maloj količini farmaceutskog otpada u odnosu na potrošnju lijekova to i potvrđuju.Pharmaceutical waste management begins with its correct disposal. Thus the quantity of toxic waste which passes into the environment can be partially tracked, but cannot be prevented certain amount of harmful substances remaining into the environment as well as effect on the biotransformation and the environment. The drugs and their metabolites easily invade into the environment through secretion from human and animal organisms, leaching and water utility. Due to incomplete separation purification systems, besides in the air and the ground, a certain concentration can be detected mostly in superficial and less in groundwater and drinking water. Drug metabolites can be more toxic than the original substances. Uncontrolled and high consumption of drugs affects the natural balance disorder, can cause environmental disasters and secondary medicalisation of the population through the pollution of drinking water which contributes to the high risk for human and animal health and the environment. Today’s existing examples of hormonal imbalances in certain populations of amphibians could be seen as first indicators of such environmental impact. Legal provisions set out the treatment with this type of waste, but the lack of involvement of the legislature to sanction non-compliance leads to harmful consequences for health and the environment, and information about the disproportionately small amount of pharmaceutical waste in relation to consumption of drugs confirms that