Knowledge, attitude and practice on safe disposal of medicines among medical personnel

Abstract

Increasing disease incidence and prevalence has led to tremendous increase in the use of medications. The consumers are not able to use all the dispensed medications because of various reasons. The improper disposal of these unused medicines has led to environmental contamination to an alarming extent. The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of medical personnel about disposal of unused medicines. The study was conducted on post graduate medical students, MBBS and nursing students of a tertiary care hospital of North India. It was cross sectional, descriptive study based on a structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about the disposition of left over medications. Descriptive statistical analysis of the results was done. Stockpiling was reported by 100% of the students. The most common reason for stockpiling was excess purchase of medicines (41%). The most commonly procured medicine was NSAID (55.9%). The most common method of disposal was with household waste (69%). Majority of the respondents answered that take back programmes and government interference is the solution to this problem. : Majority of the people are having unused medicines at home and most commonly they dispose it by throwing along with rubbish. Lack of knowledge regarding proper disposal is the main reason behind this. Initiatives should be taken to spread awareness regarding proper disposal methods of unused medicines.