Abstract
This study assessed the bacteriological quality and antibiotic resistance profiles of effluents discharged from selected pharmaceutical industries in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were collected from four pharmaceutical industries and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques for bacterial enumeration, isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Total bacterial counts ranged from 2.80 × 10³ to 5.00 × 10³ CFU/mL and differed significantly among the industries (p < 0.05), indicating variations in microbial contamination levels. Five bacterial genera were identified, namely Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Proteus, and Staphylococcus, with Gram-negative bacteria accounting for 80% of the isolates. Escherichia spp. was detected in all effluent samples, suggesting possible fecal contamination of the wastewater. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, whereas resistance to amoxicillin and erythromycin was common among the isolates. The occurrence of potentially pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria highlights the potential role of pharmaceutical effluents as environmental reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance. These findings indicate inadequate wastewater treatment prior to effluent discharge and emphasize the need for improved treatment systems, routine microbial surveillance, and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations to minimize environmental pollution and mitigate public health risks.