ACTION OF THE PHARMACIST IN THE DISPOSAL OF MEDICINES AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Abstract

Medicines are important tools to help prevent and recover people's health.  The consumption of medicines consequently generates waste and it is necessary to dispose of them correctly, because by disposing of them directly in the trash or in the toilet, they can cause serious damage to the environment and the health of the population.  It is important to inform the population that there are specific places that receive medications and dispose of them appropriately.  The pharmaceutical professional is essential to help raise awareness of the correct disposal of medications, since he has direct contact with the patient at the time of dispensing, which makes it the opportune moment to guide him both about the conscious use of the medication and the way right to discard it.  The present work is a qualitative study, it was developed based on existing research on the subject and aims to guide the population about the conscious disposal of medicines and the role of the pharmacist in this problem.