Abstract

A SURVEY ON THE KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND PRACTICES REGARDING UNWANTED MEDICINE DISPOSAL AMONG SECOND PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL STUDENTS IN CENTRAL INDIA

Shashank Sahu*, Tabish S. Ahmed and Ashish Verma

.

Abstract

Unwanted medicines (UM) are defined as expired, unused, damaged, or contaminated pharmaceutical products which are no longer required. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that unwanted medicines should always be considered as pharmaceutical waste and should never be utilized for humans and animals. As per data in year 2020, approximately 1.27 trillion U.S. dollars has been spent on medicines and this number is expected to increase to 1.6 trillion by the year 2050.Patients may not take all dispensed medicines due to poor adherence, discontinuation of medicines, adverse drug reactions in the past, proximity to the expiration date, and peer pressure. In addition to that medicines are even stored and disposed inappropriately. Ever expanding drug market, new pharmaceuticals, and enormous usage of both prescription and over the counter drugs contribute exponentially to an existing myriad of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). The end product of expired drugs can cause antibiotic resistance, therapeutic failure, carcinogenicity. There is a need for strict compliance of disposal practices for unused/expired drugs. It is imperative that the public, including healthcare professionals (HCPs), are aware of proper disposal methods and harms associated with their improper disposal. In view of the potential hazards posed due to improper storage and disposal of medicines, evaluation of the awareness of the consumers and their practices related to drug disposal and educating them about proper disposal methods and planning out an effective drug take back program at community level is required.

Keywords: Unwanted medicines, antimicrobial drug, disposal practice.