ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE TOWARDS EXPIRED DRUG DISPOSAL AMONG THE COMMUNITY IN BEIRUT CITY, LEBANON

Abstract

The global increase in pharmaceutical spending has led to enhanced international awareness of the unused and expired drug issues due to improper drug disposal's harmful economic, environmental, and health effects. Consequently, the study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward expired drug disposal among the community in Beirut City, Lebanon. A cross-sectional, observational, questionnaire-based study was conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. The fact that improper disposal of expired medicine affects the environment and health was acknowledged by 70.7% of the 450 participants. Even though 72.2% of the participants knew that the best method for drug disposal was medication disposal boxes, 50.4% did not know about the use of the drug take-back system. Expired drugs were present in 71.1% of the participants’ homes, and 78.9% of the participants discarded them in household garbage. In fact, 53.6% agreed that there is a lack of adequate information on the safe disposal of expired household medicines. This study revealed a lack of proper advice on the safe disposal of expired medicines. Consequently, the government should initiate feasible expired drug programs to educate the public. Improper disposal of expired drugs has a negative impact on the environment. The current study revealed that 78.9% of the participants discards expired drugs in an improper way. Accordingly, actions should be taken to save the planet.