Abstract
Although pharmaceuticals treat illnesses and prevent diseases in humans and animals, ironically, they are now among the emerging pollutants in the environment. As individuals continue to consume medicines, households can become a primary source of pharmaceutical pollutants. This paper explains relevant Malaysian law and policy on the issue. Using a questionnaire survey, it also assesses public perception concerning the environmental impact of pharmaceutical waste and the current methods of disposal that are practiced in Selangor. The survey used a convenience sampling and the data collected were analysed using statistical descriptive analysis. Most of the participants were aware that pharmaceutical waste can have an adverse impact on the environment and public health. Half of the participants disposed of their pharmaceutical waste in trash bins. About 2.9% of the respondents poured their household pharmaceutical waste (HPW) directly down the drain, while 8.8% poured them down the sink in the kitchen or toilet. The study also discovered that while 73.8% of the respondents felt that HPW should be separated from other household solid waste, only 25.2% returned their medicinal waste through the medicine return-back programme. The majority of the respondents (82.5%) agreed that information concerning the proper disposal of HPW is insufficient. The study concludes that while the respondents were aware of the adverse impact of HPW, their practices to ensure proper disposal is discouraging. There is a need for effective unwanted medicines return-back programme as a more prudent disposal method of HPW to avoid any risk to the environment or human health.
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Notes
The premises that have been designated as “prescribed premises” under the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) (Scheduled Wastes Treatment and Disposal Facilities) Order 1989 comprise licensed off-site storage facilities, off-site treatment facilities, off-site recovery facilities, scheduled waste incinerators, land treatment facilities or secure landfills.
Regulation 25 of the Poisons (Psychotropic Substances) Regulations 1989.
S12014/349: The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013.
British Columbia Regulation of the Environmental Management Act (BC Reg. 449/2004). Regulation 5.
This plan is designed to collect and properly dispose of unused or expired health products from the residential sector. Products included in this plan are all prescriptions drugs, over-the-counter medications, and natural health products.
The Health Products Stewardship Association (HPSA).
British Columbia Regulation of the Environmental Management Act (BC Reg. 449/2004). Regulations 10 and 12.
British Columbia Regulation of the Environmental Management Act (BC Reg. 449/2004). Regulations 11 and 13.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all those who participated in this study. We are grateful for the Trans-Disciplinary Research Grant Scheme (UPM/700-2/1/TRGS/5535712) from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia which funded this study.
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Ariffin, M., Zakili, T.S.T. Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Selangor, Malaysia—Policy, Public Perception, and Current Practices. Environmental Management 64, 509–519 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-019-01199-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-019-01199-y