Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Water, a New Module Integrated in the Pharmacy Game: Evaluating the Module's Effects on...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Pharmaceutical Science
• Education

Background:

• Pharmaceutical residues in surface waters pose risks to aquatic ecosystems and drinking water.
• Current pharmacy education often overlooks the role of pharmacists in mitigating pharmaceutical pollution.
• There is a need to integrate environmental awareness into pharmacy curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an educational module on pharmacy students' knowledge of pharmaceutical residues in water.
• To assess student experiences and attitudes towards green pharmacy education.
• To explore strategies for enhancing the pharmacist's role in environmental protection.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study involving an intervention group (n=29) and a control group (n=36).
• Quantitative knowledge assessments were conducted before and after the module intervention.
• Qualitative data on student experiences and attitudes were collected.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed a significant increase in knowledge scores (9.3 to 12.9 out of 22, p < 0.001).
• The control group's knowledge score remained at 8.9 out of 22.
• Students found e-learning and patient cases engaging and recognized the importance of environmental issues in pharmacy.

Conclusions:

• The "Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Water" module effectively enhanced student knowledge and awareness.
• The module is a promising strategy for strengthening pharmacists' role in mitigating pharmaceutical pollution.
• Integrating environmental topics into pharmacy education is crucial for a sustainable future.