Concept, Beleifs and Practices of Drug Disposal Among Undergraduate University Students of Basic Health Sciences

  • Fakhsheena Anjum Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • rabia Bushra dow university of health sciences
  • Syed Ahsan Ali Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Nighat Razvi Faculty of Pharmacy, Nazeer Hussain University, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Syeda Rabia Shahid Syeda Rabia Shahid1 Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Sana Islam Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Alishba Ahmed Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
Keywords: Drug disposal, unused drug, Expired medicines, medication take-back programs, Health sciences

Abstract

Background: Environmental and water contamination due to the presence of pharmaceuticals has become a hot issue worldwide as affecting the environment and health adversely.

Objectives: The present study aimed to observe the perception, attitude and practice regarding disposal of unused, expired and left over medicines among undergraduate university students of basic health sciences.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional, descriptive study, conducted from November 2018 to February 2019, by distributing pretested structured questionnaires. Completely filled questionnaires were then collected by researchers for data analysis using SPSS version 21.0.

Results: Out of n=200, the response rate was 79%. It was found that more than 40% students used to keep medicines at their home, due to poor compliance (39.87%). More than 75% of students had no awareness about proper medication disposal and they disposed unused medicines in the sink or flush. Around 40% students thought that pharmacists should educate about drug disposal while dispensing. About 75% respondents were unaware about availability of official guidelines for disposal or pharmacy take back program for unused medication.

Conclusion: Students were not practicing medication disposal properly. So, awareness regarding proper drug disposal is necessary for all, especially for students belonging to health sciences. Allocation of specific drug disposal sites and pharmacy take back programs are deemed to be necessary to promote a secure environment.

Published
2021-09-27