Self-Reported Pharmaceutical Storage, Use, and Improper Disposal to the Environment among Urban Parents in Indonesia

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals are increasingly used to treat and prevent disease globally. However, this trend has the potential to increase pharmaceutical discharge into the environment, especially from households. Pharmaceuticals released into the environment can harm human health, e.g., antimicrobial resistance. Thus, it is important to understand the drivers of pharmaceutical use, storage, and disposal among the community. The main objectives of this study are twofold: (1) to identify the commonly stored and used pharmaceuticals based on its classification; and (2) to identify the disposal method of unused pharmaceuticals at home. In October 2018, an exploratory online survey was conducted on 262 urban parents in the Jabodetabek area and Bandung with children ≤5 years old. This online survey revealed that the most stored medicine at home was acetaminophen. Irrational use of medicines was more common in the treatment-seeking behavior of parents rather than children. Doctor's prescription is the most factor affecting buying decisions of pharmaceuticals at home, whether for themselves or their children. In most cases, pharmaceutical waste was treated as domestic waste, which was improper disposal. To reduce improper use and disposal, we suggest a targeted campaign to raise awareness of pharmaceutical waste's unintended health and environmental impacts.