Life in Plastic, Not so Fantastic: Pharmacy’s Role in Microplastics and Sustainability

Pharmacist Learning Objectives
1. Discuss microplastics and their primary sources and exposure pathways.
2. Summarize the latest research on the health effects of microplastics, including their role in inflammation and chronic disease.
3. Evaluate the environmental impact of pharmacy packaging and medication waste.
4. Support policy and patient education initiatives that promote sustainability in healthcare.
5. Develop a practical strategy to reduce microplastic exposure and increase sustainability in pharmacy practice.

Technician Learning Objectives
1. Discuss microplastics and their primary sources and exposure pathways.
2. Summarize the latest research on the health effects of microplastics, including their role in inflammation and chronic disease.
3. Evaluate the environmental impact of pharmacy packaging and medication waste.
4. Support policy and patient education initiatives that promote sustainability in healthcare.
5. Develop a practical strategy to reduce microplastic exposure and increase sustainability in pharmacy practice.

Meet Your Speaker 

Alexandra E. Fogarty, MD, FAAPMR, ABPM
Assistant Professor
Pain, Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
University of Utah School of Medicine

Dr. Alexandra Fogarty, MD, FAAPMR, ABPM, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and a triple board-eligible specialist in PM&R, Sports Medicine, and Pain Medicine. Fellowship-trained at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, she provides comprehensive, integrative care across the spectrum of musculoskeletal and pain conditions, combining advanced diagnostics with state-of-the-art treatments. With sustainability at the forefront of her practice, Dr. Fogarty is editor of the forthcoming volume Climate Change and Disability: A Collaborative Approach to a Sustainable, Inclusive Future for All, and has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications on waste reduction in interventional pain care. Her clinical approach emphasizes restoring function, achieving patient-centered goals, and promoting long-term well-being—for both individuals and the environment.

Alexandra Fogarty has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Financial support for this course was provided through an educational grant from McKesson Health Mart.