Speaker
Description
Abstract:
Backgrounds: The prevalence of unused medications domestically by households has been dramatically increased in recent years; this has resulted in a robust waste of medicines. The public, healthcare providers and governments are all accused of promoting medications wastage in different ways and thus, they need to be targeted to solve this problem. The aims of this study were to review the prevalence of unused medications among sample of Iraqi families and to determine the reasons behind their abuse, in order to help reducing such wastage. The current study also tried to shed light on the methods of disposal of expired medications and estimate the cost of unused ones. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire. The electronic survey was developed and then distributed by telegram channels and through groups of students from different Iraqi colleges during the period from 13th of March to 28th of April. Descriptive analysis of the unused medications was conducted including the type of unused medicines and the reasons behind not being used. Results: A total of 350 respondents were agreed to participate in the current study. More than half of the owners of medications were within the age groups (21-40) and (41-60) years old respectively with similar percentage (57.9%). The present study has revealed that the vast majority of the respondents (97.2%) had unused medications at their home during the study period. The majority (85%) of participants reported that these medicines are used as on needed basis and most of those unused medications (67.1%) were overstock in their homes. The most prevalent therapeutic classes of medications unused were analgesics, antibiotics, antihistamines, vitamins / nutritional supplements, and medicines for different GIT disorders. Nearly three quarters of the participants were used to dispose of their expired medications in the bin with (76.5%) and none of the respondents practiced of returning unused medications to the pharmacy. Patient's condition improved (52%); changed to other treatment (37.8%); passed expiry date (24%); excess quantity supplied of medications (27%); and non-adherence (20.4), were the main reasons which responsible for accumulation and consequent wastage of medications. With regards to the cost, less than half of the unused medicines (41.1%) were with a value of less than 10K Iraqi Dinar which is an approximate to $7 for each medicine. Conclusion: Public unawareness is a common reason for improper disposal of unused medications which might lead to undesirable economical and environmental impacts. Stocking of unused, expired medicines or offering medications to others were common causes for accidental and/or inappropriate consumption of those medications. In addition, it might increase the risk of adverse drug reaction (s) and even lead to antibiotic resistance. This request an urgent need for setting up a proper way of disposal of unused medications. Also, number of campaigns should be in hand to increase public awareness regarding the unnecessary overstock of unwanted medicines.
| Has the manuscript been published? | non published |
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