Medication Waste Persists Amid Drug Shortages in Europe Laura Clavijo Villagrasa

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/medication-waste-persists-amid-drug-shortages-europe-2026a10014di In Europe, an aging population, rising prevalence of chronic diseases, budget constraints, environmental degradation, and supply problems are creating an increasingly complex healthcare landscape. Therefore, addressing medication waste and optimizing drug use are essential. Available data suggest that large quantities of medication are wasted each year in households and hospitals. Examples from France and a European hospital analyzed by the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists illustrate the scale of the problem. In households, substantial quantities of medications become waste, and the volume continues to increase because of consumption trends, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on household pharmaceutical waste management.