Environmental Governance and Household Medicine Disposal in São Luís (MA): the Gap Between Norms and Practices

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the household pharmaceutical reverse logistics policy in São Luís (MA), considering institutional, informational, and territorial factors that influence its implementation. Theoretical Framework: Improper disposal of household medicines poses a global environmental and public health concern. In Brazil, the National Solid Waste Policy establishes reverse logistics as a shared responsibility mechanism; however, its effectiveness remains constrained by operational inefficiencies and limited public engagement. Method: A qualitative and documentary research design was adopted, employing methodological triangulation through document analysis, content analysis, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Four dimensions of environmental governance were analyzed: informational transparency, institutional oversight, communicational engagement, and territorial equity. Results and Discussion: Findings revealed that the policy operates within a centralized, declarative, and low-transparency framework, heavily reliant on private self-regulation and predominantly formal oversight mechanisms. The weak integration among information, monitoring, and public participation processes undermines both policy effectiveness and territorial equity. Research Implications: The study underscores the need to enhance environmental and health governance, strengthen public policy coordination, and foster social awareness toward responsible pharmaceutical disposal practices. Originality/Value: By integrating the AHP method with qualitative analysis, this research offers an innovative approach to evaluating reverse logistics policy performance, providing evidence-based insights to advance sustainable governance and pharmaceutical waste management.