title: Nursing role in the pharmaceutical life cycle.
abstract: Biologically active, nontherapeutic levels of pharmaceuticals have been detected in waterways and effluent. Although the vast majority of releases stem from human or animal excretion and production effluent, some come from disposal practices. Studies have demonstrated numerous links between environmental exposures from pharmaceutical compounds and their impact upon aquatic life. Nurses need to be aware of this issue since their roles in health care are expanding and considered among the most trusted. Throughout the life cycle of pharmaceuticals (design, approval/regulation, production, use, and discharge/disposal), nursing can play pivotal roles in reducing and eliminating pharmaceutical waste as well as improving public safety through decreasing poisoning and drug abuse. This article discusses the environmental impact of the pharmaceutical life cycle and what roles nurses have as clinicians, educators, advocates, and researchers.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health & Environmental Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130, USA. becker.julie@gmail.com
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Méndez-Quigley
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D055772:Green Chemistry Technology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D055553:Prescription Drugs