PhD student Odina Makhmudova arranges collection of expired drugs for recycling
The project is a part of Makhmudova’s PhD training.
Two containers were installed in November in the University Clinic’s facilities at Vishnevskogo 2a and Shmidta 31 addresses.
The initiator, who, apart from her PhD studies, is also Assistant Lecturer of the Department of Internal Diseases, speaks about the project, “My choice of the thesis topic is due to the fact that drug pollution if a global problem. Russia has detailed regulations about medical waste in medical facilities, but there is no centralized collection and recycling of expired drugs. We need to further study the influence of pharmaceutical waste on the environment and the population.”
Odina says that such containers have previously only been installed in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.
As part of the project, was set up with basic information about safe recycling of drugs. She also organizes a questionnaire about consumer awareness of drug pollution.
Generally, it’s not recommended to just dispose of drugs ‘as is’. The safe option is to mix them with inert materials, such as cat litter, and enclose in a package. This way it can be safely placed in a dumpster.