PHARMACEUTICAL RESIDUES IN THE ENVIRONMENT: IMPACTS OF IMPROPER MEDICATION DISPOSAL AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Abstract

Improper medication disposal has been recognized as an environmental and public health issue due to the release of pharmaceutical residues into the environment and their potential ecotoxicological effects. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the environmental impacts associated with improper medication disposal and to identify mitigation strategies discussed in the scientific literature. This is a qualitative study developed through an integrative literature review, with content analysis of the selected publications according to Bardin’s method. The bibliographic search was conducted in scientific databases, resulting in the constitution of a corpus composed of 13 publications. The findings indicate that inadequate storage and disposal practices, combined with the limitations of conventional wastewater treatment systems, contribute to the persistence of pharmaceutical residues in the environment and to the occurrence of ecotoxicological effects and public health risks. It is concluded that mitigating these impacts requires an integrated approach involving effective public policies, strengthening of reverse logistics, health education actions and the careful adoption of treatment technologies, aiming at more sustainable pharmaceutical waste management.