UAE pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted or unused medications, their practices, and barriers to promoting safe medication disposal by the public
Abstract Background The improper disposal of unwanted or unused medications is a pressing issue that can lead to drug misuse and environmental contamination. Pharmacists play a crucial role in promoting safe drug disposal by the public. This study explores pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of u...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21332-3 |
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| author | Maram O. Abbas Semira Beshir Doaa Kamal AlKhalidi Eiman Shamseldin Al Gailani Ali Yosra Lozon Rizah Anwar Assadi Hana Ghdaiba Rahaf Adnan AL-Zeer |
| author_facet | Maram O. Abbas Semira Beshir Doaa Kamal AlKhalidi Eiman Shamseldin Al Gailani Ali Yosra Lozon Rizah Anwar Assadi Hana Ghdaiba Rahaf Adnan AL-Zeer |
| author_sort | Maram O. Abbas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The improper disposal of unwanted or unused medications is a pressing issue that can lead to drug misuse and environmental contamination. Pharmacists play a crucial role in promoting safe drug disposal by the public. This study explores pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted and unused medications, their practices, and the barriers to promoting safe medication disposal among the public in the United Arab Emirates. Methods This cross-sectional study included pharmacists working in the UAE’s community and hospital settings with direct patient contact. A convenience sampling approach was used, where pharmacists who were available during the data collection period were invited to participate. Printed copies or a survey link to the questionnaire were provided to pharmacists to complete independently during in-person visits. Participants were categorised into three levels: extensive, adequate, or minimal involvement, based on their engagement in activities such as reviewing patients’ medications, educating them on proper storage and disposal, and participating in drug take-back programmes. Chi-square test was used to assesses the association between categorical variables and pharmacists practice levels. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 29. Results A total of 370 pharmacists participated in this survey, most of whom were between 18 and 34 years old (69.2%). The top three perceived causes of unwanted or unused medications include changes in prescriptions due to patients’ poor clinical outcomes (83.8%), inappropriate storage conditions (79.7%), and expiration of medications (78.6%). Moreover, factors such as pharmacist age, type of pharmacy, country of education, pharmacy location, employment status, and years of experience were significantly associated with pharmacists’ level of involvement in promoting safe medication disposal practices. The most cited barriers were a lack of public awareness about the risks of improper medication disposal (88.9%), lack of time due to workload (82.4%), and lack of training and education (78.1%). Most pharmacists believed in collaborating with public health agencies to promote medication disposal awareness (97.6%) and developing national guidelines (97.6%). Conclusion This study’s findings have significant implications for public health, highlighting the necessity of essential groundwork for developing targeted interventions and policies to enhance public awareness and identify specific areas where pharmacists can actively encourage safe medication disposal practices in the UAE. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-91becd7997154bc9b698eecde5da362e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-91becd7997154bc9b698eecde5da362e2025-01-26T12:55:44ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111210.1186/s12889-025-21332-3UAE pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted or unused medications, their practices, and barriers to promoting safe medication disposal by the publicMaram O. Abbas0Semira Beshir1Doaa Kamal AlKhalidi2Eiman Shamseldin Al Gailani Ali3Yosra Lozon4Rizah Anwar Assadi5Hana Ghdaiba6Rahaf Adnan AL-Zeer7Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates UniversityDubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai Medical UniversityDubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai Medical UniversityDubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai Medical UniversityDubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai Medical UniversityDubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai Medical UniversityDubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai Medical UniversityCollege of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical UniversityAbstract Background The improper disposal of unwanted or unused medications is a pressing issue that can lead to drug misuse and environmental contamination. Pharmacists play a crucial role in promoting safe drug disposal by the public. This study explores pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted and unused medications, their practices, and the barriers to promoting safe medication disposal among the public in the United Arab Emirates. Methods This cross-sectional study included pharmacists working in the UAE’s community and hospital settings with direct patient contact. A convenience sampling approach was used, where pharmacists who were available during the data collection period were invited to participate. Printed copies or a survey link to the questionnaire were provided to pharmacists to complete independently during in-person visits. Participants were categorised into three levels: extensive, adequate, or minimal involvement, based on their engagement in activities such as reviewing patients’ medications, educating them on proper storage and disposal, and participating in drug take-back programmes. Chi-square test was used to assesses the association between categorical variables and pharmacists practice levels. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 29. Results A total of 370 pharmacists participated in this survey, most of whom were between 18 and 34 years old (69.2%). The top three perceived causes of unwanted or unused medications include changes in prescriptions due to patients’ poor clinical outcomes (83.8%), inappropriate storage conditions (79.7%), and expiration of medications (78.6%). Moreover, factors such as pharmacist age, type of pharmacy, country of education, pharmacy location, employment status, and years of experience were significantly associated with pharmacists’ level of involvement in promoting safe medication disposal practices. The most cited barriers were a lack of public awareness about the risks of improper medication disposal (88.9%), lack of time due to workload (82.4%), and lack of training and education (78.1%). Most pharmacists believed in collaborating with public health agencies to promote medication disposal awareness (97.6%) and developing national guidelines (97.6%). Conclusion This study’s findings have significant implications for public health, highlighting the necessity of essential groundwork for developing targeted interventions and policies to enhance public awareness and identify specific areas where pharmacists can actively encourage safe medication disposal practices in the UAE.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21332-3Medication disposalUnused medicationsEnvironmental impactPharmacistSafe drug disposalDrug take-back programmes |
| spellingShingle | Maram O. Abbas Semira Beshir Doaa Kamal AlKhalidi Eiman Shamseldin Al Gailani Ali Yosra Lozon Rizah Anwar Assadi Hana Ghdaiba Rahaf Adnan AL-Zeer UAE pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted or unused medications, their practices, and barriers to promoting safe medication disposal by the public BMC Public Health Medication disposal Unused medications Environmental impact Pharmacist Safe drug disposal Drug take-back programmes |
| title | UAE pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted or unused medications, their practices, and barriers to promoting safe medication disposal by the public |
| title_full | UAE pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted or unused medications, their practices, and barriers to promoting safe medication disposal by the public |
| title_fullStr | UAE pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted or unused medications, their practices, and barriers to promoting safe medication disposal by the public |
| title_full_unstemmed | UAE pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted or unused medications, their practices, and barriers to promoting safe medication disposal by the public |
| title_short | UAE pharmacists’ perceptions of the causes of unwanted or unused medications, their practices, and barriers to promoting safe medication disposal by the public |
| title_sort | uae pharmacists perceptions of the causes of unwanted or unused medications their practices and barriers to promoting safe medication disposal by the public |
| topic | Medication disposal Unused medications Environmental impact Pharmacist Safe drug disposal Drug take-back programmes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21332-3 |
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