Paper Key : IRJ************632
Author: Vijay Kumar Rana
Date Published: 13 Apr 2025
Abstract
Pharmaceutical waste, produced throughout the entire drug lifecyclefrom production to consumer usagepresents considerable challenges to both environmental integrity and public health. Inadequate disposal and ineffective waste management practices result in the contamination of water, soil, and food chains, which in turn exacerbates issues such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), toxicity in aquatic organisms, and disturbances in ecosystems. This review examines the various types and sources of pharmaceutical waste, their impacts, and the current global practices in waste management, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable policies and innovative approaches to disposal and recycling.