Pharmaceutical waste management among community pharmacists in Lagos metropolis, South-western Nigeria- a cross-sectional study

Background: Pharmaceutical waste is an emerging public health concern. Unsafe disposal of unused, expired, or unwanted pharmaceuticals can adversely affect our communities. Of particular concern is that exposure to pharmaceutical waste may cause cancer as well as physiological changes in humans and animals.

Objectives: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of pharmaceutical waste management among community pharmacists in Lagos metropolis.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among community pharmacists selected by multistage sampling technique. Pre-tested, structured, self-administered questionnaire and an observer checklist were used for data collection. Data were analysed using Epi-Info Version 7.1.1.4 statistical software. Respondents' knowledge, attitudes and practices were scored and graded as poor (<50%) and good ( 50%). Univariate and bivariate analysis were carried out. P value ?0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Mean age of the respondents was 44.5 ± 9.2 years. Only 12.6% of the respondents identified 'Drug Takeback' as a method of pharmaceutical waste disposal for consumers. Majority (86.6%) of the respondents agreed that it is the responsibility of a community pharmacist to ensure proper management of pharmaceutical waste. Most reported method of disposal of pharmaceutical waste was throwing into trash bin (56.9%). Few (38.1%) of the respondents were observed to have secured container for pharmaceutical waste. Respondents' mean ±SD (in percentage) and proportion of respondents with good grades were: Knowledge [56.7±26.1 & 187 (78.2%)]; attitude [88.5±6.4 & 235 (98.3%)]; reported practice [59.2±28.7 & 216 (90.4%)] and observed practice [26.5±18.2 & 79 (33.1%)].

Conclusion: Underlying problem of pharmaceutical waste management among community pharmacists is inherent in the observed practice component. Routine training of community pharmacists on pharmaceutical waste management is recommended.