Evaluation Of Environmental Management Plans Of Pharmaceutical Industries And Their Consequences On Local Communities In Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pharmaceutical industries (PIs) are crucial to healthcare but pose significant environmental risks through improper waste and effluent management. Consequently, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the environmental management plans of pharmaceutical industries and their consequences on local communities in Kwara State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques using structured questionnaires. Residents near BG reported worsening environmental quality, with 70% noting deteriorating water quality, 45% reporting poorer air quality, and 50% observing soil degradation. Most (80%) noticed increased waste, and 78% reported health issues like respiratory and skin problems. KR residents had mixed perceptions, with 59.1% seeing worsened air quality, but 50% believed water quality had improved. Despite this, 77.3% reported increased waste, and 54.5% saw a rise in community illness. SM residents predominantly reported negative impacts, with 60% noting worsened air and water quality and 70% seeing soil degradation. Additionally, 90% observed increased waste, and 50% felt the company’s environmental efforts were insufficient. TL residents also expressed mixed perceptions, with 62.9% noticing worsened air quality and 57.1% reporting soil deterioration. In contrast, VB’s residents reported overwhelmingly positive outcomes, with 94.4% seeing no change in air quality and 97.2% in water quality. Compliance levels varied, with BG showing the highest compliance in effluent treatment (88%) but lower compliance in waste management (71%). A Chi-square test confirmed a significant association between EMP compliance and environmental impacts (Chi-square = 43.9825, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for improved EMP implementation and stronger industry accountability.