1st PAN AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON PHARMACEUTICALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT-An Increasing Environmental Problem of our Time

Health is the fundamental human right. Access to health care which includes access to medicines is a prerequisite for realising that right. Pharmaceuticals constitute a key component of health care delivery in health systems worldwide. Various studies have shown that pharmaceuticals account for about 60% of recurrent expenditure. The average client on attending clinic/hospital is given medicine(s) as part of management of a disease condition. Indeed the average client considers the process incomplete if not given medicines after a normal visit to the hospital/health care facility. During the last two decades the occurrence and impact of pharmaceutical products in the environments has gained increasing attention amongst researchers and scientists in many countries. Studies in some of these countries have confirmed the presence of pharmaceuticals at trace levels in (water bodies, waste, etc). Unfortunately very little or no studies have been carried out in any African Country. The main aim of this conference is to discuss the issues confronting the continent with respect to Pharmaceuticals in the Environment.