Aloudah Nouf, Alsaja Raghad Abdulaziz, Bin Mohareb Abeer Mohammed, Alshabanah Aljoharah O, Alammari Raghad Bakr
Clinical Pharmacy Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Integr Pharm Res Pract. 2024 Nov 3;13:201-207. doi: 10.2147/IPRP.S488482. eCollection 2024.
Improper disposal of unused antibiotics poses a significant global challenge, drawing attention from various stakeholders. This discharge of antibiotics into the environment can occur through various means such as industrial production, consumption, and excretion by humans and animals, as well as improper disposal of unused or expired antibiotics. The aim of our study is to investigate the availability of proper disposal of antibiotics in community pharmacies and to explore obstacles and opportunities from pharmacist's point of view.
This study used a mixed-methods approach that consisted of two study arms: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative arm used a mystery-shopper method for assessing the disposal of antibiotics in community pharmacies. The qualitative study arm consisted of several in-depth semi-structured focus groups with a sample of pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Riyadh.
The mystery shopper arm showed that 85% (n=88) refused to take the return of antibiotics. Interviews with pharmacists have indicated a lack of knowledge on safe disposal methods for antibiotics and medications. Additionally, pharmacists have cited several factors contributed to accumulation of the antibiotics such as nonadherence or policies mandating the sale of whole medication packs instead of the required amounts as a contributing factor to this issue. Furthermore, there is a lack of dedicated facilities for the population to safely dispose of their medications and/antibiotics.
By acknowledging the factors contributing to improper disposal practices, recognizing the importance of proper antibiotic disposal, and advocating for multi-faceted initiatives, we can work towards mitigating this critical issue. Through collaborative efforts involving education, policy interventions, and community engagement, we can foster a culture of responsible medication disposal, ultimately safeguarding public health and environmental well-being.
未使用抗生素的不当处置构成了一项重大的全球挑战，引起了各利益相关方的关注。抗生素通过多种途径进入环境，如工业生产、人类和动物的消费与排泄，以及未使用或过期抗生素的不当处置。我们研究的目的是调查社区药房抗生素的妥善处置情况，并从药剂师的角度探索障碍和机遇。
本研究采用混合方法，包括两个研究分支：定量研究和定性研究。定量研究分支采用神秘顾客法评估社区药房抗生素的处置情况。定性研究分支由几个深入的半结构化焦点小组组成，样本为利雅得社区药房工作的药剂师。
神秘顾客研究表明，85%（n = 88）的药房拒绝回收抗生素。对药剂师的访谈表明，他们缺乏抗生素及药品安全处置方法的知识。此外，药剂师列举了导致抗生素积压的几个因素，如不遵守规定或政策要求整包销售药品而非所需剂量，这是造成该问题的一个因素。此外，缺乏供民众安全处置药品和/抗生素的专用设施。
通过认识到导致不当处置行为的因素，认识到妥善处置抗生素的重要性，并倡导多方面举措，我们可以努力缓解这一关键问题。通过教育、政策干预和社区参与等合作努力，我们可以培育一种负责任的药品处置文化，最终保障公众健康和环境福祉。
