Questions | Frequency (%) |
Did any quantity of purchase medicine remain unused at your home? |
|
No | 117 (29.9) |
Yes | 274 (70.1) |
If yes, what is the reason for having unused medication? (n = 224)* |
|
Improvement in medical condition | 366 (93.6) |
Change of medication by prescriber | 176 (45.0) |
Intolerable side effect | 28 (7.2) |
Keeping for future use | 148 (37.9) |
What do you do with the unused medicines?* |
|
Throw away in household garbage | 126 (32.2) |
Flush unused medications in toilet/sink | 89 (22.8) |
Keep at home until expired | 274 (70.1) |
Burn | 46 (11.8) |
Give to friends or relatives | 45 (11.5) |
Return back to pharmacy | 30 (7.7) |
I do not know what to do | 31 (7.9) |
What do you do with the expired medicines?* |
|
Throw away in household garbage | 274 (70.1) |
Flush unused medications in the toilet/sink | 203 (51.9) |
Keep at home | 157 (40.2) |
Burn | 79 (20.2) |
Give to friends or relatives | 3 (0.8) |
Return back to pharmacy | 27 (6.9) |
I do not know what to do | 21 (5.4) |