1III-year MBBS, Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Puducherry, India.
2*Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Puducherry, India. E-mail: drarvinth.a@gmail.com
3Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Puducherry, India.
Background: Ecopharmacology, a growing domain of pharmacovigilance, evaluates the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals and emphasizes the safe disposal of unused or expired medicines. Improper medication disposal contributes to environmental contamination, antimicrobial resistance, and potential public health risks. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in promoting rational medication use and environmentally responsible disposal practices.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 healthcare professionals at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic variables and 20 items assessing knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) related to ecopharmacology. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Descriptive statistics summarized responses, and Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between professional designation and KAP variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 34.8 ± 7.6 years, with 58% being male. Most respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of ecopharmacology and recognized the environmental hazards associated with improper pharmaceutical disposal; however, awareness of Indian regulatory guidelines was limited. Participants showed generally positive attitudes, supporting professional responsibility, public disposal guidelines, and medication take-back programs. Despite this, disposal practices were suboptimal. Nearly half of the respondents reported purchasing medicines in bulk, and many disposed of unused solid or liquid formulations through household garbage or wash basins. Participation in seminars or continuing medical education programs related to ecopharmacology was low. Professional designation was significantly associated with selected knowledge, attitude, and practice variables (p <0.05).
Conclusion: Although healthcare professionals demonstrated satisfactory knowledge and favorable attitudes toward ecopharmacology, appropriate disposal practices remain inadequate. Strengthening structured education, curricular integration, continuing professional development, and accessible medication take-back programs is essential to reduce pharmaceutical environmental contamination and protect public health.
Keywords: Ecopharmacology; Pharmaceutical Waste; Medication Disposal; Healthcare Professionals.
How to cite this article: Navaneetha Krishnan Meganathan, Arvinth Arthanareeswaran, Sakthibalan Murugesan, “Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices toward Eco Pharmacology among Healthcare Professionals at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study” Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(4s): 463-469; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.4s.57.
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None