Disposal Practices of Unused and Unwanted Medications among Patients in a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: There is a growing concern of unintended consequences of inappropriate medications disposal on the environment and public health. Objective: The aims of this study are to determine patients' medications disposal methods and their awareness of the pharmacy medications take back program. Method: A cross sectional survey using a self-administered closed-ended questionnaire on information, medications disposal and views, awareness of medications take back program and reasons for their unwillingness to return the unused and unwanted medication to pharmacy or doctor. A convenient sample of 438 patients at Out Patient Pharmacy and Patient Registration areas in the hospital was collected and completed within three months. Results: Only 44.5% had ever received information about medications disposal and were significantly more likely to return to pharmacy or doctor (29.2% versus 6.0%, p < 0.001). There were significant differences between tertiary and nontertiary with regard to no