
%0 Journal Article
%A Tong, Alfred 
%A Peake, Barrie 
%A Braund, Rhiannon 
%T Disposal practices for unused medications in New Zealand community pharmacies
%J Journal of Primary Health Care
%D 2011/09/01
%V 3
%N 3
%P 197-203
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/HC11197
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/HC11197 
%X INTRODUCTION: One of the recommended methods for households to dispose of unused medications in many countries is to return them to community pharmacies. However, such a practice will only reduce the environmental levels of pharmaceuticals if the medications are also disposed of and destroyed properly by the pharmacies. AIM: This study reports the results of a questionnaire sent to New Zealand community pharmacists regarding disposal practices for unused or expired medications in their workplaces. METHODS: A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was sent to 500 randomly selected community pharmacies from all areas of New Zealand. The participants were asked how they disposed of a variety of medications. In addition, participants were also asked about whether they knew how unused medications were destroyed if their pharmacy used a third-party contractor or distributor to dispose of them. RESULTS: Of the 265 respondents, 80.4% and 61.1% respectively reported that solid and semi-solid medications were removed by contractors. However liquid and Class B controlled drugs were predominantly disposed of down the pharmacy sink. Over 60% of the participating pharmacists indicated that they believed the contractors incinerated the collected pharmaceutical waste, and over 90% of the participating pharmacists indicated their wish for a state-run disposal and destruction system. DISCUSSION: Liquid medications and Class B controlled drugs, which were commonly reported to be disposed of down the sewerage system, may increase the potential for environmental pollution by pharmaceuticals in New Zealand. There is a need for increased environmental awareness amongst community pharmacists in New Zealand. KEYWORDS: Medication disposal; pharmaceutical waste; environment; excess medication; community pharmacist 
