Medicines out of use and waste of medicines in a northern city of Portugal
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abstract
Nowadays, it’s important to understand waste of medicines, destination of medicines out of use and knowledge that people have about it, since the lack of information can lead to serious consequences for public health and environment.
This study aims to determine the proportion of waste of medicines in population of a northern city of Portugal and related factors and verify the knowledge and behavior about the destination of medicines out of use, like the Valormed.
This cross-sectional and study used a questionnaire applied to 148 users of a Health Center of Bragança. Most were female (67.6%), aged over 45 (60.1%), with residence in rural environment (78.4%).
The proportion of waste medicines was relatively low, 60.8% alleged always finish the medication packaging. There is thus a proportion waste of 39.2%. The reason for not finishing the medication packaging was because they feel better (53.4%) or inadequate size of packages (16.2%). However, 75.0% said always check the expiration date. 31.1% of individuals lay medicines out of use to trash, 29.1% deliver in pharmacies and 27.7% keep at home. The majority (72.3%) did not know the existence of Valormed in pharmacies, as correct destination for medicines out of use.
The proportion of waste of medicines was about 39%, probably due to feeling better, not checking expiration date and inadequate size of packages. More than half of subjects lay medicines out of use into trash or take them to pharmacy, although the majority did not know Valormed.
