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Pharmaceutical waste from a Danish hospital
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  • Lærke Karner Overgaard,
  • Katrine Bitsch Johansen,
  • Julie Rudbech Krumborg,
  • Michelle Lyndgaard Nielsen,
  • Mette Marie Hougaard Christensen,
  • Sidsel Arnspang Pedersen
Lærke Karner Overgaard
Odense Universitetshospital
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Katrine Bitsch Johansen
Odense Universitetshospital
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Julie Rudbech Krumborg
Odense Universitetshospital
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Michelle Lyndgaard Nielsen
Odense Universitetshospital
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Mette Marie Hougaard Christensen
Odense Universitetshospital
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Sidsel Arnspang Pedersen
Odense Universitetshospital

Corresponding Author:sidsel.arnspang.pedersen@rsyd.dk

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Abstract

The healthcare sector is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, and reduction and proper sorting of healthcare waste is essential to achieve sustainable healthcare. This study aimed to characterize the quantity and composition of pharmaceutical waste from a major Danish hospital. Pharmaceutical waste was collected from Odense University Hospital, including departments located in both Odense and Svendborg. The average daily production of pharmaceutical waste was 1150 g/day in Odense and 5967 g/day in Svendborg, with the operating rooms in Svendborg contributing 3143 g/day. The amount and composition of pharmaceutical waste varied greatly between departments, but some common patterns were identified. Propofol accounted for about one third of the pharmaceutical waste obtained from operating rooms. Antibiotics for systemic use constituted a significant proportion of the pharmaceutical waste from several departments, and were the therapeutic group from which most different drugs were identified. Paracetamol accounted for 33.5% of the discarded tablets/capsules in Odense and 12.6% in Svendborg. Medications dispensed by automated dose dispensing accounted for a significant proportion of the discarded tablets/capsules in departments using this service. This study highlights some key areas for reduction and management of pharmaceutical waste, and contributes to the currently limited evidence within this area.
Submitted to Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
05 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
05 Jul 20241st Revision Received
05 Jul 2024Assigned to Editor
05 Jul 2024Submission Checks Completed
05 Jul 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Accept