Variable

Frequency (%)

Do you know about medication waste?

No

71 (18.2)

Yes

320 (81.8)

If yes, which one of the following can be considered as medicine wastes? (n = 320)*

Expired medicines

231 (59.1)

Leftover medicines due to some reasons

46 (11.8)

Damaged medicines that cannot be used

90 (23.0)

Once opened medication and beyond their recommended use date

80 (20.5)

Do you ever read medicine disposal instructions?

No

388 (99.2)

Yes

3 (0.8)

Do you know about the “drug-take-back system”?

No

371 (94.9)

Yes

20 (5.1)

Do you know that misused/repeated change or failing to complete antibiotics may cause drug resistance?

No

221 (56.52)

Yes

170 (43.5)

Improper disposal of unused and expired medicines can affect the environment and health

No

0.0 (0.0)

Yes

391 (100.0)

What do you think is the possible harm associated with inappropriate medicine disposal?*

It can contaminate the environment

249 (63.7)

It can kill wildlife

87 (22.3)

Can cause accidental swallow by children

196 (50.1)

How could the hazardous effect of unused and expired medicines be minimized or controlled?*

Providing proper guidance to the consumer

354 (90.5)

Prescribing in quantities and for a duration that ensures patient compliance

274 (70.1)

Lowering the quantities of prescribed medicine by a doctor

297 (76.0)

Donating or sharing the unused medicines

67 (17.1)

Who do you think is responsible for creation of public awareness about the proper disposal of unused and expired medicines?*

Mass media

132 (33.8)

Physician

47 (12.0)

Pharmacist

130 (33.3)

The pharmaceutical industry

227 (58.1)