Assessment of Pharmaceuticals Waste Practices Among Private Drug Retail Outlets in Ethiopia

Background: Pharmaceuticals waste is a public safety concern, resulting in a possible accidental poisoning, misuse, and environmental pollution. Thus, appropriate disposal of the damaged and expired medicines would save lives and protect the ecological system. Objective: The study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and disposal practices of pharmaceuticals waste among practitioners in private retail outlets. Method: A facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among private practitioners in retail outlets of Jimma city from November 20 to December 19, 2018. All private drug retail outlets and the respective staffs that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in the study. The data were collected using self-administrated questionnaires. Results: Of 106 questionnaires distributed to practitioners, 87 completed questionnaires returned, making a response rate of 82.1%. Fifty-nine (67.8%) of the participants reported that at least one type of damaged or expired medicines was present in their store. The main reasons for the damage or expiration include inappropriate storage practices, 32 (29.1%), and receiving medicines with a near expiration date, 42 (38.2%). Concerning knowledge about disposal practices, 70 (41.7%) and 47 (38.2%) of the participants, respectively, reported that safe disposal of damaged or expired medicines would prevent environmental pollution and illegal use. Regarding disposal practice, 47 (38.2%) of the respondents reported burning separately, and 24 (19.5%) of them reported burying underground. Fifty-two (59.8%) of the total participants strongly agreed that they had a responsibility to protect environmental pollution. Conclusions: The majority of the participants knew that the appropriate disposal of pharmaceuticals waste could protect human beings and ecological systems. However, a majority of the respondents disposed of the pharmaceuticals waste at the retail pharmacy.