Disposal practices for unused medications in New Zealand☆

Braund, Rhiannon; Peake, Barrie M.; Shieffelbien, Lucy M

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2009.04.003

Cited by 101 publications

(111 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…b) Diagnostic compounds; such as X-ray contrast media are directly discharged in their native forms. c) Household Disposal; either topic formulations or unused medicines (out-of-date or unwanted) are discarded through the sink/toilet or via waste collection [9,37,38], before being taken to landfill sites where they appear as terrestrial ecosystem contaminants. Alternatively, they may possibly leak into surrounding water compartments [39,40].…”

Section: Sources Of Environmental Contaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Santos

Araújo

Fachini

et al. 2010

Journal of Hazardous Materials

1,285

533

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Pharmaceuticals are biologically active and persistent substances which have been recognized as a con-tinuing threat to environmental stability. Chronic ecotoxicity data as well as information on the current distribution levels in different environmental compartments continue to be sparse and are focused on those therapeutic classes that are more frequently prescribed and consumed. Nevertheless, they indicate the negative impact that these chemical contaminants may have on living organisms, ecosystems and ultimately, public health. This article reviews the different contamination sources as well as fate and both acute and chronic effects on nontarget organisms. An extensive review of existing data in the form of tables, encompassing many therapeutic classes is presented.Keywords: Pharmaceuticals, Sources, Environmental fate, Ecotoxicological effects

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Section: Sources Of Environmental Contaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Santos

Araújo

Fachini

et al. 2010

Journal of Hazardous Materials

1,285

533

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…[8,12,20,21,22] Content validation of the questionnaire was carried out by 5 pharmacists who had experience in running MRP. Questionnaire content was edited according to their feedback.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilization of Ministry of Health Medication Return Programme, Knowledge and Disposal Practice of Unused Medication in Malaysia

Yang¹,

Tan²,

Goh³

et al. 2018

JPPCM

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Objective: (1) To report the awareness on MRP and its utilization rate. (2) To assess environment awareness with regards to improper disposal. (3) To explore practices toward unused medication. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 33 out-patient pharmacies in Sabah healthcare facilities. Quota sampling was used to recruit 244 subjects. Data collector from each facility was identified and trained prior to data collection. Self-reporting questionnaire captured data of socio-demographic, awareness on MRP and patient's knowledge and practice towards unused medication. Independent t-test and chi square test were performed to detect differences and association. Result: Subject mean (SD) age was 45.1(15.5) years and almost two-third (60%) of the subjects were female. Majority (73%, 95%CI 67-78%) knew that inappropriate disposal of medication will cause environmental hazard. Only 54% (95% CI 47-60%) had heard of MRP, 26% (95%CI 21-32%) had utilized MRP to return unused medication.Subject's awareness on environmental hazard and MRP were associated with their practice to return unused medication (p=0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). Mean years of education and median family income were significantly different between the aware and unaware group respectively [11.3(6.0) vs 8.9(4.5) yrs, p=0.003; RM2000 vs RM1260, p<0.001]. The most common unused medication were analgesics (27.1%), antihypertensive (24.4%), antiglycemic (14.7%) and supplements (12%). The two predominant methods to "dispose" unused medication at home were through garbage (47.8%) and return to healthcare facilities (30.0%). Conclusion: This study has established the evidence for public awareness on MRP, environment awareness and disposal practice of Malaysian citizen. Creative and innovative recommendations have been made for MRP promotion and to improve public knowledge on safety disposal of unused medication.

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“…A study conducted in New Zealand shows that the percentage of the medicines returned to pharmacies is between 13 and 24%. 3 There are 314 independent pharmacies in Denmark and the amount of pharmaceutical waste generated is 120 grams per person per year. Pharmacies are required to collect pharmaceutical waste from households.…”

Section: Different Pilot Projects Have Been Conducted In Canadamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When found in water flows, even in traces, Etinilestradiol, which is an active component of most oral contraceptives, jeopardizes sexual development of fish and increases their feminization. 3 Pharmaceuti-cal products get into the environment in two main ways. Firstly, as a result of their use in treatment of patients, they enter the environment with wastewaters after the excretion from the body.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The household medicine supplies can vary in different countries, but they can all become a potential source of poisoning, most often for children, and can also cause reactions like confusion, especially with elderly persons. 3 According to the 2008 report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), the cause of 18.6% of child poisoning were acute medicine poisonings. When found in water flows, even in traces, Etinilestradiol, which is an active component of most oral contraceptives, jeopardizes sexual development of fish and increases their feminization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Pharmaceutical Waste Management in Pharmacies at the Primary Level of Health Care in Serbia - Situation Analysis

Manojlović¹,

Jovanović²,

Milošević-Georgiev³

et al. 2015

IJPER

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Background: Pharmaceutical products can become a potential source of poisoning. The improper disposal of unused medicines is a growing problem throughout the world, with a manifold effect on the cost of health care, public health and the environment. The objectives of this research are the overview of current situation of pharmaceutical waste management in the pharmacy sector in the Republic of Serbia, attitudes and knowledge of pharmacists on the matter and the measures they should undertake in order to make the general public aware of the significance of proper disposal of medications. Methods: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study on entire population of state pharmacies at the primary health care level in the Republic of Serbia, in March 2013. Primary data were collected by filling in a 14 questions questionnaire that was specially designed for this research. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 683 (34 healthcare institutions -pharmacy) pharmacies. According to the data obtained, 76.5% of pharmacies collect expired medicines that people bring there in order to get them put away, while 23.5% pharmacies assert that they do not collect pharmaceutical waste from households at all. Conclusion: The pharmacies have not started to implement their legal obligation of collecting pharmaceutical waste from the citizens yet, at least not in the full range. The development and practical implementation of adequate procedures and facilities for the disposal of this type of waste represents the key step towards the decrease of pharmaceutical waste in the environment.

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Disposal practices for unused medications in New Zealand☆

Cited by 101 publications

References 19 publications

Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Utilization of Ministry of Health Medication Return Programme, Knowledge and Disposal Practice of Unused Medication in Malaysia

Pharmaceutical Waste Management in Pharmacies at the Primary Level of Health Care in Serbia - Situation Analysis

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