PATIENT?S OPINION AND PRACTICE TOWARD UNUSED MEDICATION DISPOSAL: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Author(s): Gupta Dharmender, Gupta Ashutosh, Ansari N. A, Ahmed Q.S

This study was conducted to explore the opinion and practice toward disposal of unused medication among patients in Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Institute of Medical Sciences. An in-depth interview conducted during the period from October 2012 until December 2012. A total of 56 patients participated in this study. Once the participants identified, an appointment was fixed to conduct the interview with them. Due to the small sample size the data were analyzed manually. The most common diseases reported among the participants were hypertension 39.3 % and diabetes mellitus type II 21.4 %. There were three main frequent disposal methods practiced by the respondents, the majority of them threw unused medication into the trash 57.1 %, followed by burning the unused medication 14.2 %. The majority of the participants 60.7 % mentioned that the best way to educate the public about disposal unused medication is through advertisements, treating consultants, patient awareness workshops, pharmacists on medical stores and public campaign. The most method to dispose unused medication among patients is a throw of unused medication into the trash.