Disposal of Pharmaceutical Waste by the Rural Population

Abstract

Improper disposal of expired medicines and treatment leftovers can contaminate the environment and compromise the human health, however, the implementation of reverse logistics for medicines is a challenge for municipalities. The objective of this study was to characterize the medicines disposal by the rural population of the Correia Pinto municipality/SC. Study was quantitative, descriptive-transversal, with data collection in the field from the application of a questionnaire to 156 rural residents. The results showed that basic sanitation is precarious, as 64.7% of people consume untreated water and are not served by waste collection, although 94.9% use the septic tank as sewage treatment. A high percentage of the population (63.43%) reported the daily use of medication. About 75% discard leftovers from drug treatment and expired drugs inappropriately. The data collected can contribute to the implementation strategies of the reverse logistics system for medicines waste, in addition to show the gaps in rural sanitation.