Disposal of Unused Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study
Nouf Aloudah,1 Raghad Abdulaziz Alsaja,2 Abeer Mohammed Bin Mohareb,2 Aljoharah O Alshabanah,2 Raghad Bakr Alammari2 1Clinical Pharmacy Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Nouf Aloudah, Email naloudah...
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Dove Medical Press
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice |
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| author | Aloudah N Alsaja RA Bin Mohareb AM Alshabanah AO Alammari RB |
| author_facet | Aloudah N Alsaja RA Bin Mohareb AM Alshabanah AO Alammari RB |
| author_sort | Aloudah N |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nouf Aloudah,1 Raghad Abdulaziz Alsaja,2 Abeer Mohammed Bin Mohareb,2 Aljoharah O Alshabanah,2 Raghad Bakr Alammari2 1Clinical Pharmacy Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Nouf Aloudah, Email naloudah@ksu.edu.saIntroduction: 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.Methods: 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.Results: 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.Conclusion: 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.Keywords: antibiotic disposal, antibiotic waste, Saudi Arabia, unused antibiotics, health care professionals, mixed methods, mystery shoppers, qualitative research, in-depth interviews |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0cb8a2fd58c849d0ab33fbec94e8340b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2230-5254 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-0cb8a2fd58c849d0ab33fbec94e8340b2025-08-20T02:18:27ZengDove Medical PressIntegrated Pharmacy Research and Practice2230-52542024-11-01Volume 1320120796945Disposal of Unused Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods StudyAloudah NAlsaja RABin Mohareb AMAlshabanah AOAlammari RBNouf Aloudah,1 Raghad Abdulaziz Alsaja,2 Abeer Mohammed Bin Mohareb,2 Aljoharah O Alshabanah,2 Raghad Bakr Alammari2 1Clinical Pharmacy Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Nouf Aloudah, Email naloudah@ksu.edu.saIntroduction: 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.Methods: 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.Results: 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.Conclusion: 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.Keywords: antibiotic disposal, antibiotic waste, Saudi Arabia, unused antibiotics, health care professionals, mixed methods, mystery shoppers, qualitative research, in-depth interviewshttps://www.dovepress.com/disposal-of-unused-antibiotics-in-community-pharmacies-in-saudi-arabia-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IPRPantibiotic disposalantibiotic wastesaudi arabiaunused antibioticshealth care professionalsmixed methodsmystery shoppersqualitative researchin-depth interviews |
| spellingShingle | Aloudah N Alsaja RA Bin Mohareb AM Alshabanah AO Alammari RB Disposal of Unused Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice antibiotic disposal antibiotic waste saudi arabia unused antibiotics health care professionals mixed methods mystery shoppers qualitative research in-depth interviews |
| title | Disposal of Unused Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study |
| title_full | Disposal of Unused Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study |
| title_fullStr | Disposal of Unused Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Disposal of Unused Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study |
| title_short | Disposal of Unused Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study |
| title_sort | disposal of unused antibiotics in community pharmacies in saudi arabia a mixed methods study |
| topic | antibiotic disposal antibiotic waste saudi arabia unused antibiotics health care professionals mixed methods mystery shoppers qualitative research in-depth interviews |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/disposal-of-unused-antibiotics-in-community-pharmacies-in-saudi-arabia-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IPRP |
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