DISSEMINATION AND ECOLOGICAL IMPACT OF PHARMACEUTICAL SUBSTANCES IN THE ENVIRONMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/jecm.2025.05.05Keywords:
Pharmaceuticals, Environmental impact, Medical waste, Drug residuesAbstract
The widespread use of medicinal substances in modern medicine is associated with accompanying challenges. One of the most significant concerns is the release of these substances into the natural environment and their ecological impact. Pharmaceuticals enter the environment through various pathways: excretion from humans and animals, improper disposal of unused medications, discharges from medical institutions and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, as well as through their use in agriculture. In the long term, these processes pose a threat to biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and the health of living organisms. Therefore, this issue requires an interdisciplinary approach, including improvements in pharmaceutical waste management systems, increased public awareness, and stricter regulations to ensure environmental sustainability.
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