OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to determine the reasons for returning medications unused and the types of unused medications returned based on therapeutic class. SETTING: This study was conducted in a region of New Zealand covered by the Hutt Valley District Health Board. This region has approximately 51,000 households. METHODS: A 'Disposal of Unwanted Medication Properly (DUMP)' campaign was conducted for a four week period in November 2007 in the Hutt Valley DHB region. A collection bag was delivered to every household for the collection and disposal of any unused medications. Participants were instructed to return the bags to a community pharmacy. Those returning medications were also asked to complete a questionnaire to determine why the medications were not used. A sample of the returned medications was identified and quantified and every completed questionnaire was analysed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures included: types and quantities of medications returned, calculated costs of these medications and reasons for returns. RESULTS: Over the four week period, 1,605 bags were returned for disposal. A total of 329 bags (20%) containing a total of 1,253 items were fully analysed. Only 653 questionnaires were completed (41%) all of which were analysed. The most commonly reported reason for not using the medication was that it had passed the expiry date (26%), the second was treatment change (24%), followed by condition resolved (15%). 'Alimentary tract & metabolism' and 'respiratory systems & allergies' accounted for 21 and 20% of cost respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that main reasons identified for patients having unwanted medications were 'treatment changes' and 'expired'. Additionally respiratory medications contributed 20% of the costs associated with unused medications.
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to determine the reasons for returning medications unused and the types of unused medications returned based on therapeutic class. SETTING: This study was conducted in a region of New Zealand covered by the Hutt Valley District Health Board. This region has approximately 51,000 households. METHODS: A 'Disposal of Unwanted Medication Properly (DUMP)' campaign was conducted for a four week period in November 2007 in the Hutt Valley DHB region. A collection bag was delivered to every household for the collection and disposal of any unused medications. Participants were instructed to return the bags to a community pharmacy. Those returning medications were also asked to complete a questionnaire to determine why the medications were not used. A sample of the returned medications was identified and quantified and every completed questionnaire was analysed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures included: types and quantities of medications returned, calculated costs of these medications and reasons for returns. RESULTS: Over the four week period, 1,605 bags were returned for disposal. A total of 329 bags (20%) containing a total of 1,253 items were fully analysed. Only 653 questionnaires were completed (41%) all of which were analysed. The most commonly reported reason for not using the medication was that it had passed the expiry date (26%), the second was treatment change (24%), followed by condition resolved (15%). 'Alimentary tract & metabolism' and 'respiratory systems & allergies' accounted for 21 and 20% of cost respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that main reasons identified for patients having unwanted medications were 'treatment changes' and 'expired'. Additionally respiratory medications contributed 20% of the costs associated with unused medications.
Authors: Charlotte Suppli Ulrik; Vibeke Backer; Ulrik Søes-Petersen; Peter Lange; Henrik Harving; Peter P Plaschke Journal: J Asthma Date: 2006-11 Impact factor: 2.515
Authors: E Mehuys; L Van Bortel; L De Bolle; I Van Tongelen; L Annemans; J P Remon; G Brusselle Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 2007-12-19 Impact factor: 16.671
Authors: Charlotte L Bekker; Helga Gardarsdottir; Antoine C G Egberts; Marcel L Bouvy; Bart J F van den Bemt Journal: Pharmacy (Basel) Date: 2018-08-29