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 not returning to pharmacy or doctor (22.8% versus 42.0 %, p = 0.004). Some common medications disposal methods were throwing medications away with household garbage, 38.3% (n = 168), returning to pharmacy or doctor, 35.1% (n = 154) and flushing medications down the toilet or sink 11.0% (n = 48). About 50.2% (n = 220) knew about medications take back program and were significantly more willing to return the medication to the assigned location (34.7 % versus 20.1%, p < 0.001). The main reasons for unwillingness were availability of time, not convenient or a bother and out-of-vicinity location.
Conclusion: There is a clear need to create public awareness about issues on safe medication disposal and medications take back program,
Study site: Outpatient pharmacy, and patient registration area in Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor, Malaysia