A STUDY ON ANALYSIS OF ECOPHARMACOVIGILANCE AWARENESS AND PRACTICE ACROSS HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND GENERAL POPULATION

The rapid growth of the global population, increasing disease burden, and advances in pharmaceutical development have significantly increased medicine production and consumption, resulting in widespread environmental contamination by pharmaceutical residues. These compounds, often termed pseudo-persistent pollutants, enter the environment through improper disposal, healthcare waste, manufacturing effluents, and veterinary use, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. Ecopharmacovigilance (EPV) has emerged as a strategy to monitor, assess, and prevent adverse environmental effects of pharmaceuticals. This observational study aimed to evaluate awareness and practices related to EPV among healthcare professionals and the general population in Tiruchirappalli. A total of 200 participants were included, comprising 50 pharmacists, 50 nurses, 50 doctors, and 50 members of the general public. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographics, disposal practices, and awareness of environmental impacts. Descriptive statistics were applied for analysis. Most participants were aged 18–30 years, with a nearly equal gender distribution. Healthcare professionals demonstrated high awareness regarding safe disposal, environmental harm, checking expiry dates, and following disposal instructions. In contrast, baseline awareness among the general public was lower but improved substantially after counselling, particularly regarding unsafe disposal in household trash, returning medicines to pharmacies, and consulting pharmacists for guidance. Across all groups, the majority recognized that improper disposal harms the environment and that expired medicines should not be used. The study highlights significant gaps in disposal practices, especially among the general population, and underscores the positive impact of counselling. Strengthening EPV awareness through education, pharmacist involvement, and structured disposal programs is essential to minimize environmental contamination and protect public health.