Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand.
Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
PLoS One. 2024 Aug 27;19(8):e0309266. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309266. eCollection 2024.
Although the improper disposal of unused and expired medications represents a global environmental concern, its significance is often underestimated. This research delves into the practices and factors related to the management of unused and expired medications.
Data was collected through a comprehensive survey of Thai households, with 400 structured questionnaires. Multiple regression was then employed to analyze the data.
Findings show an intriguing paradox. The participants in the survey demonstrated commendable knowledge regarding the appropriate management of unused or expired medications. Yet, this knowledge was not sufficiently put into practice. This study identifies the factors that have a positive influence on proper medication disposal practices, such as age, level of education, attitude, and perception. Surveyed participants exhibited a tendency to retain unused medications and discard expired ones with household waste. Most of them showed a low degree of medication management, pointing to the need for targeted interventions.
This research provides tangible benefits for policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and researchers addressing waste management paradigms. In terms of policy, the study highlights the need for comprehensive interventions, including medication take-back systems, infrastructure development, and educational initiatives. Policymakers are urged to bridge the gap between knowledge and behavior by promoting access to collection points for proper medication disposal to avoid perpetuating the cycle of suboptimal medication management. This research informs strategies to encourage responsible medication management practices globally, addressing the adverse environmental and health impacts associated with the improper accumulation of medications.
尽管未使用和过期药物的不当处置是一个全球性的环境问题，但人们往往低估了其重要性。本研究深入探讨了未使用和过期药物管理的相关实践和影响因素。
通过对泰国家庭进行全面调查，共收集了 400 份结构化问卷，然后采用多元回归分析数据。
调查结果显示了一个有趣的悖论。参与者对未使用或过期药物的适当管理表现出值得称赞的认识。然而，这些知识并没有得到充分的实践。本研究确定了对适当药物处置实践具有积极影响的因素，如年龄、教育水平、态度和认知。被调查的参与者倾向于保留未使用的药物，将过期的药物随家庭垃圾丢弃。他们中的大多数人对药物管理的重视程度较低，这表明需要有针对性的干预措施。
本研究为政策制定者、医疗保健从业者和研究人员提供了有关废物管理模式的切实利益。在政策方面，研究强调需要采取综合干预措施，包括药物回收系统、基础设施发展和教育计划。政策制定者应通过促进获取适当药物处置收集点，将知识和行为之间的差距缩小，以避免继续存在药物管理不善的情况。本研究为鼓励全球范围内负责任的药物管理实践提供了信息，以应对与药物不当积累相关的不利环境和健康影响。
