Safe medication disposal: Need to sensitize undergraduate students

Abstract

The presence of pharmaceuticals in potable waters is escalating with an evergrowing consumption of medications. Concerns regarding environmental significance and human health risk involved are often raised but control at source generation is not being adequately emphasized. To explore the knowledge, attitude, beliefs about drug wastage and methods adopted by students to dispose unused and leftover medications at home. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive survey. A detailed, anonymous questionnaire having both open and close-ended questions to assess drug disposal practices was administered to second, third and fourth year dental students. The data collected was analyzed and expressed as counts and percentages. 236 dental students participated in the survey. 70% reported the possession of upto five expired medications at home. The major reason for possession of unused, expired medicines was purchase of over the counter (OTC) drugs for self-medication.52%agreed that drug wastage can be managed by returning to pharmacy.97% had not heard of drug take-back initiatives.92% admitted that no advice on drug disposal had been received by them. Antipyretics (54%) and analgesics (64%) were the major drug class stockpiled unused and expired drugs in students’ homes. The predominant method adopted for drug disposal was via household trash(94%) followed by storing in home medicine chests(28%).48% students agreed that returning to pharmacist is an acceptable way to dispose drugs. Knowledge about environmental implications of unsafe medication disposal was found to be inadequate among dental undergraduate students. There is need to increase their awareness about safe and prudent disposal methods. With reduced wastage of medication, the ecological footprint of medicines can be greatly reduced.