Approach of health care waste management in drugstores and handling pharmacies in a small town of the southern region of Brazil

Abstract

This paper discusses the problem of healthcare waste generated in drugstores and handling pharmacies in a small town, aiming at the minimization of environmental impacts caused by the materials used in healthcare services incorrectly discarded in the environment as, for example, syringes and needles. One of the main causes of the progressive growth of the waste is the continued and increasing use of disposables, which can, with greater or lesser intensity, causing contamination of water quality and cause pollution. The aim of the study was to present the current situation of healthcare waste management in drugstores and handling pharmacies in the city in study, relating to the current legislation. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires. The results show that most companies generate about 15 liters and most of this waste is classified as expired medications. The profiles of the companies studied were observed in relation to procedures adopted as final disposal, segregation, training offered to employees and quantification of accidents involving waste.