Spatial analysis of a case of reverse logistics of medicines in community pharmacies in Brazil - a preliminary study

Background: The reverse logistics of medicines consists of the logistical procedure of collection, transport, storage, treatment and final disposal of post-consumer or expired waste. Medicines can be toxic to the environment and affect the health of citizens of the territory. Community pharmacies, as a health facility, play a key role in this process. Objectives: Define the spatial analysis and cases of reverse logistics of medicines in community pharmacies in Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, and the research covered the medicines collected by 400 community pharmacies in the period from 2020 to 2022. To obtain the data, the medicines were collected, weighed, segregated and the weight released on a dedicated waste management platform. All regions of Brazil subject to georeferencing were processed using the free software Geographic Information System (QGIS). Data were expressed as median and range or as frequency of occurrence. Chi-square t-test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare variables. The accepted significance level was 5%. Results: Of the five existing regions in Brazil, only three had records of reverse medication logistics. 4,519.74 Kg of products were collected, and the North region of Brazil was responsible for 69.1% of the collection. In the spatial analysis, it was possible to perceive a difference between the areas of concentration of the RDL, that is, locations where collections were carried out in the period from 2020 to 2022. Conclusion: The present study preliminarily analyzed the reverse logistics of medicines in Brazil. The data obtained can contribute to the knowledge of this area and to the strengthening of the process. Thus, these places must exercise a task force for the educational process of the population about the risks of incorrect disposal of medicines and that this could harm the environment, economic aspects of society, food and the entire context that involves health and well-being. of citizens (AU)

Crédito de logística reversa de embalagens pós-consumo: avaliação dos efeitos dos programas nas cooperativas de catadores no município de São Paulo - SP / Post-consumer packaging reverse logistics credit: evaluation of the effects of the programs on waste picker cooperatives in the city of São Paulo - SP

A Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos, aprovada em 2010, tem como destaque a integração dos catadores de materiais recicláveis nas ações que envolvem a responsabilidade compartilhada pelo ciclo de vida dos produtos e a logística reversa. Com o estabelecimento de metas de reciclagem, definidos nos termos de compromisso e acordos setoriais de embalagens em geral, os fabricantes, importadores, distribuidores e comerciantes devem implementar o sistema de logística reversa para realizar e comprovar a redução de embalagens dispostas em aterros sanitários, o que corresponde ao acréscimo da taxa de recuperação (reciclagem) da fração seca. Como uma forma de apoio, surgem os programas de crédito de logística reversa destinados principalmente às organizações de catadores, propiciando a elas comercializar créditos dos resíduos recicláveis originários de notas fiscais de venda. Como contrapartida, variados investimentos são realizados por parte dos programas. Esta pesquisa buscou avaliar os efeitos sociais e econômicos desses programas em cooperativas de catadores no município de São Paulo. Para isso, elaborou-se um questionário abordando temas como o processo de parceria entre as cooperativas e programas de créditos de logística reversa, remuneração versus produção, segurança do trabalho, saúde, qualificação, formalização e impacto da pandemia de COVID-19. Realizaram-se entrevistas com as lideranças de 10 cooperativas de catadores previamente selecionadas. De modo geral, com base na análise dos dados, constatou-se que os efeitos causados pelos programas nas cooperativas de catadores foram tímidos. No entanto, houve efeitos positivos como o aumento da remuneração e melhorias nos processos ergonômicos. E efeitos negativos no que tange à quantidade de resíduos recicláveis comercializados mensalmente e na falta de investimento para contribuição da previdência social, falta de oferta para planos de saúde e de cursos profissionalizantes para os cooperados. Os resultados evidenciaram que tais programas necessitam de melhorias em diversos pontos e devem avançar no que se refere ao pagamento pelo serviço ambiental.

The Brazilian National Policy on Solid Waste, approved in 2010, highlights the integration of waste pickers in actions that involve shared responsibility for the life cycle of products and reverse logistics. The establishment of recycling goals, defined in the terms of commitment and sectorial agreements for packaging in general, manufacturers, importers, distributors and traders must implement the reverse logistics system implement and prove the reduction of packaging disposed in sanitary landfills, the which corresponds to the increase in the recovery rate (recycling) of the dry fraction. As a form of support, reverse logistics credit programs arise, mainly aimed at waste picker organizations, enabling them to sell credits from recyclable waste originating from sales invoices and, in return, several investments are made by the programs. It is the social and economic effects of these programs on waste picker cooperatives in the city of São Paulo that this research sought to assess. For this, a survey was elaborated addressing topics such as the partnership process between cooperatives and reverse logistics credit programs, remuneration versus production, occupational health, health, education, legalization and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews were carried out with the leaders of 10 previously selected waste picker cooperatives. In general, data analysis found that the effects that the reverse logistics credit programs had on waste picker cooperatives were small. However, there were positive effects such as increased compensation and improvements in ergonomic processes. Although negative effects on the amount of recyclable waste monthly sales, the lack of investment to contribute to social security, lack of offer for health plans and professional training courses for cooperative members. The results showed that such programs need improvement in several points and should advance in terms of payment for the environmental service.

Logística reversa de medicamentos: um relato de experiência do estado do Paraná / Pharmaceutical reverse logistics: an experience report from the state of Paraná

O presente trabalho descreve o relato de experiência da Divisão de Vigilância Sanitária de Produtos da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Paraná na Campanha de Logística Reversa de Medicamentos Domiciliares Vencidos ou em Desuso realizada no ano de 2018 pelo Governo do Estado, em parceria com o Sindicato da Indústria de Produtos Farmacêuticos no Estado de São Paulo e outras entidades. A ação teve duração de 60 dias com a participação de 250 pontos de coleta distribuídos em farmácias públicas e privadas de todas as Regionais de Saúde do Estado. Os resíduos de medicamentos coletados ultrapassaram duas toneladas. Foi possível identificar os recursos necessários para implantação dessa política com participação de atores da cadeia farmacêutica. A atuação do Governo do Estado foi essencial para aproximação dos setores e articulação na Campanha. Contudo, salienta-se a necessidade de interlocução dos entes responsáveis pelo processo para execução permanente desta política no Estado. (AU)

This paper describes the experience report of the Health Surveillance Division of the State Health Department of Paraná in the Pharmaceutical Reverse Logistics Campaign for Expired or Unused Home Medicines held in 2018 by the State Government, in partnership with the Pharmaceuticals Industry Union of the State of São Paulo and other entities. The action lasted 60 days with the participation of 250 collection points distributed in public and private pharmacies of all State Health Units. The drug residues collected exceeded two tons. It was possible to identify the resources required to implement this policy with the participation of actors from the pharmaceutical chain. The participation of the State Government was essential to bring the sectors together, and to articulate the Campaign. However, the need of dialogue amongentities in charge of the process, for the permanent implementation of this policy in the State, shall be highlighted. (AU)