Evaluating Environmental Compliance Among Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Lagos State, South West Nigeria

The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Lagos State generates chemical effluents, solvent wastes, and pharmaceutical residues that require careful environmental management to prevent pollution of water bodies and soils. This study evaluated the level of environmental compliance among selected pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Agbara and Ikeja industrial estates, Lagos State. A compliance assessment framework based on NESREA regulations and World Health Organization pharmaceutical waste management guidelines was applied across twelve manufacturing facilities. Data were collected through facility inspections, effluent sampling and analysis, document review of environmental management plans, and key informant interviews with environmental health officers and factory managers. Effluent samples were analysed for pH, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, and concentrations of selected active pharmaceutical ingredients. Results revealed that only four of the twelve facilities had current valid environmental permits and operational effluent treatment systems meeting regulatory standards. Active pharmaceutical ingredient concentrations in effluents from non-compliant facilities exceeded European Union environmental quality standards, suggesting risk of pharmaceutical pollution to receiving water bodies. Document reviews revealed gaps in hazardous waste disposal records and environmental incident reporting. The study recommends strengthening NESREA's capacity for routine pharmaceutical sector inspections, mandating third-party effluent audits, and introducing a public environmental performance rating system for industrial facilities in Lagos State. Keywords: environmental compliance, pharmaceutical industry, Lagos, effluent management, NESREA.