EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES for ecopharmacology.pptx

Ecopharmacology

1. Educational Strategies Dr Keerthi Rajan M Junior Resident King George’s Medical University Lucknow , Uttar Pradesh

2. Introduction Pharmaceutical pollution - a growing concern Has significant effects on ecosystems- wildlife, soil & water resources Mainly affect water bodies Proper steps to be taken at the earliest

3. To prevent the causes To reduce the impact To achieve the goals EDUCATIONAL STARTEGIES

4. Sources Overprescription and over-the-counter medications Hospitals, households, agriculture Manufacturing, use, disposal of drugs Excreted drugs - not fully broken in water treatment https://doi.org/10.1787/14ed3c18-en

5. Prescription Practices Doctors, nurses, pharmacists can be trained about guidance on advising patients to take the full prescribed amount and avoid overprescribing Training pharmacy staff to educate customers about proper disposal of medications

6. https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/ld/managing-and-reducing-polypharmacy-when-prescribing

7. Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance Educating healthcare professionals on the link between overuse of antibiotics and the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) This can reduce overuse of antibiotics, thus minimizing their environmental release and mitigating the risk of resistance developing in the ecosystem.

8. Green Prescribing : Effective medications but have minimal environmental impact Opting for formulations that are less likely to persist in the environment Use of alternatives

9. Promoting the Use of Alternatives Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as lifestyle changes, dietary interventions Aims at prevention of certain diseases Less usage of medicines

10. Green Chemistry in Drug Development : Developing drugs that have a lower environmental impact during production and degradation Designing molecules easier to break down, less toxic, produced using more sustainable methods Using greener solvents Reducing energy consumption & minimizing waste

11. Wastewater Treatment Improvements : Upgrading wastewater treatment plans Advanced processes - activated carbon filtration, ozonation, and advanced oxidation Better detection techniques for pharmaceuticals in environment to monitor contamination and assess risks to public health and wildlife

12. Removal from soil : Rhizosphere growth promoters as support for soil bioremediation Bio-remediation by plants or fungi Soil chemical remediation for places with high pollution

13. Pharmaceuticals in Agriculture : Reducing the use of veterinary antibiotics and growth hormones in agriculture More sustainable farming practices Organic farming Promoting integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

14. Policy and Regulatory Education Evidence-based data to convince policymakers to adopt more stringent regulations Public policy initiatives to promote pharmaceutical take-back programs, ban the practice of flushing medications, and encourage sustainable manufacturing practices

15. Public Awareness and Proper Disposal : About importance of proper disposal methods, such as using designated medication take-back programs, not flushing or throwing away unused drugs Some countries have begun implementing stricter regulations on the disposal and the release of drugs Social media, television ads

16. Collaborating with Organizations Partnerships with NGOs focused on environmental protection, in conducting research, publish reports, and offer educational resources on the topic Encouraging citizens to participate in research projects can create a sense of collective responsibility.

17. Citizen Engagement and Community Initiatives Community-based education programs like local workshops, town halls, or educational sessions in schools, libraries, and community centers Organizing community clean-up events , such as river clean-ups or "medication disposal days“ to create more awareness

18. Social Media Awareness Powerful tools for spreading awareness Hashtags, videos, and infographics to educate people about the importance of proper disposal, environmental consequences

19. Mobile Apps Developing apps or online platforms to locate pharmaceutical take-back sites, learn about proper disposal methods, or track their own consumption and disposal behaviors. Like ADR PvPi

20. Youth and School Education Educate next generation - see the change High school and university programs can on environmental health, sustainability, and the impact of pharmaceuticals on ecosystems. School science fairs, university research initiatives, for raising awareness and finding creative ways

21. Summary A multi-faceted approach is needed reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals Professional training Industry collaboration Regulatory advocacy Public awareness & Community engagement

22. References Caban M, Stepnowski P. How to decrease pharmaceuticals in the environment? A review. Vol. 19, Environmental Chemistry Letters. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH; 2021. p. 3115–38. Balakrishna K, Rath A, Praveenkumarreddy Y, Guruge KS, Subedi B. A review of the occurrence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in Indian water bodies. Vol. 137, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. Academic Press; 2017. p. 113–20. Vatovec C, Kolodinsky J, Callas P, Hart C, Gallagher K. Pharmaceutical pollution sources and solutions: Survey of human and veterinary medication purchasing, use, and disposal. J Environ Manage. 2021 May 1;285. Desai M, Njoku A, Nimo-Sefah L. Comparing Environmental Policies to Reduce Pharmaceutical Pollution and Address Disparities. Vol. 19, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. MDPI; 2022.