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) |