MANAGEMENT OF SOLID WASTE OF EXPIRED OR UNUSED DRUGS BY PHARMACIES OF INDAIATUBA-SP AND HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS

Abstract

This study aimed to verify whether the population of the city of Indaiatuba-SP, specifically students of the Indaiatuba Faculty of Technology (FATEC-ID), is aware of the correct way to dispose of expired or outdated medicines and the impacts of improper disposal; verify if pharmacies of this city know of Municipal Law nº 5.998/2012 and if complies with this legislation. For this, a descriptive quantitative research was carried out, involving the gathering of information about the disposal of expired or outdated medicines with the students of FATEC-ID and in pharmacies of the city of Indaiatuba. The results show that 69% of people discard their medications in the common waste, even knowing that this attitude can cause problems to the environment and health. As for pharmacies, 90% are aware of Municipal Law No. 5,998 / 2012 and 73% have medication collectors, but only 12% are complying with the law and 100% have the PGRSS Solid Waste Management Plan. Thus, environmental education campaigns are necessary to motivate consumers to dispose of solid residues of medicines correctly.