Knowledge and application of green practices within community pharmacy

Abstract

The leaching of active pharmaceutical ingredients within the environment can be reduced if greener practices are adopted throughout the lifecycle of pharmaceutical products. Being at the forefront of healthcare systems, pharmacists and the pharmaceutical workforce have an important role in reducing the impact of pharmaceutical related activities.

Introduction: The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Development Goal 21 focuses on sustainability in pharmacy and proposes mechanisms related to pharmacy workforce, practice, and science. One aspect of sustainability in pharmacy relates to contributions towards safeguarding the environment through green pharmacy practices. Objectives: To evaluate the perception of pharmacists and the pharmaceutical workforce in Maltese community pharmacies towards green practices. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire, entitled Green Practices in Community Pharmacy, was developed to evaluate the perception of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and assistants working in community pharmacies. The questionnaire was validated for face and content validity by a panel of three academic pharmacists, two community pharmacists, and two pharmacy technicians. The study was registered with the University of Malta Faculty Research Ethics Committee. Dissemination of the questionnaire was conducted online through social media using Google Forms and in community pharmacies around Malta. Participants deemed eligible for the study were required to work within Maltese community pharmacies for at least three hours a week. Results: A total of 78 participants answered the questionnaire, of which 64 were pharmacists, seven pharmacy assistants, and three pharmacy technicians. Participants were aged between 21–30 years (n = 43), 31–40 years (n = 17), 41–50 years (n = 8), and 51–60 years (n = 10), with most participants having one to five years of experience (n = 37). Thirty-five participants had never heard of the term green pharmacy practice. Twenty-six participants heard the term green pharmacy practice from the internet, and 22 participants at university. The age of participants who heard the term from university ranged between 21–30 years (n = 20), 31–40 years (n = 1), and 41–50 years (n = 1). All participants (n = 78) would like more information about green pharmacy practice, especially through social media (n = 54), webinars (n = 42), and newsletters (n = 33). Participants had never (n = 20) or rarely (n = 18) examined their pharmacy energy consumption. Green community pharmacy practices such as stock rotation (n = 57) and recycling (n = 43) were already being implemented by most participants. All participants possessed a medicinal waste bin (n = 78) to receive unused or expired medicines from consumers. Participants (n = 37) remarked that patients tend to collect free medications from the national health services scheme even when they do not need them, leading to hoarding of medicines that go to waste. Conclusions: Pharmacy schools have an important role in creating awareness about green pharmacy practices amongst the future workforce to promote the implementation of such practices in settings such as the community pharmacy. Being at the forefront of healthcare systems, pharmacists and the pharmaceutical workforce should be encouraged to employ greener practices during day-to-day operations, reduce pharmaceutical waste, provide patient education about the detrimental effects of medicines on the environment, discuss proper medicines disposal, and increase environmental awareness amongst other healthcare workers.