Lai Madison, Dahri Karen, Wong Gigi, Legal Michael
BSc, PharmD, is with Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, Vancouver, British Columbia.
BSc, BScPharm, PharmD, ACPR, FCSHP, is with Vancouver General Hospital and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Can J Hosp Pharm. 2025 May 14;78(2):e3707. doi: 10.4212/cjhp.3707. eCollection 2025.
Pharmaceuticals affect planetary health through environmental contamination from human excretions, improper drug disposal, and greenhouse gas emissions, derived from manufacturing as well as from use. Research suggests that patients will choose environmentally friendly options for minor ailments, but not severe conditions. To date, no Canadian research has explored patients' views on this topic.
To characterize the views of British Columbians regarding medication-related environmental sustainability and to determine how these views relate to medication decisions.
A web-based survey was distributed across British Columbia from October 30, 2023, to February 29, 2024. Residents of British Columbia at least 18 years of age who could complete an online survey in English were eligible to participate. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used.
A total of 255 responses were received. When presented with a scenario related to stroke, more than half of respondents (51%) preferred the medication with higher efficacy and greater environmental harm; in contrast, for scenarios involving the common cold and asthma, more than half chose the medication with lower efficacy and lower environmental harm (54% and 59%, respectively). When cost was introduced, only 54% stated they would choose the more environmentally friendly medication if it was more expensive, whereas 97% would do so if it was less expensive. Themes from open-ended questions focused on cost, manufacturer considerations, and education.
Respondents were willing to choose the environmentally friendly medication for less serious conditions, but not for conditions perceived as life-threatening and/or debilitating. Cost may be a barrier to accessing environmentally friendly options. Public education opportunities may help to inform more sustainable choices. Additionally, there may be value in manufacturer regulations or policies to ensure that the environmental impact of medications is considered.
药物通过人类排泄物、不当药物处置以及制造和使用过程中产生的温室气体排放对地球健康造成环境污染。研究表明，患者会为轻微疾病选择环保选项，但不会为严重疾病这样做。迄今为止，加拿大尚无研究探讨患者对该主题的看法。
描述不列颠哥伦比亚省居民对药物相关环境可持续性的看法，并确定这些看法与用药决策之间的关系。
2023年10月30日至2024年2月29日在不列颠哥伦比亚省开展了一项基于网络的调查。不列颠哥伦比亚省至少18岁且能用英语完成在线调查的居民有资格参与。采用了描述性统计和主题分析。
共收到255份回复。当面对与中风相关的情景时，超过一半的受访者（51%）更喜欢疗效更高但对环境危害更大的药物；相比之下，对于涉及普通感冒和哮喘的情景，超过一半的人选择了疗效较低且对环境危害较小的药物（分别为54%和59%）。当引入成本因素时，只有54%的人表示如果环保药物更贵他们会选择它，而如果更便宜则97%的人会这样做。开放式问题的主题集中在成本、制造商考量和教育方面。
受访者愿意为不太严重的疾病选择环保药物，但不会为被视为危及生命和/或使人衰弱的疾病这样做。成本可能是获取环保选项的障碍。公共教育机会可能有助于做出更可持续的选择。此外，制造商的法规或政策可能有价值，以确保考虑药物对环境的影响。
