Economic burden of unused medicines and its causes in households of Perinthalmanna region

Abstract

BackgroundThe medical expenditure among the public in malabar region have been skyrocketing. The increased tendency to let the medicines unused ultimately leads to medicine wastage and huge economic loss. The purpose of this study was to assess the sheer bulk of unused medicines, factors responsible for their generation, and the cost bound to the wasted resource. The study also ventures further to identify the storage, handling and disposal practices of such unused medicines among the general public. MethodologyA community based cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among 350 households of viiith ward & nearby wards. The self prepared questionnaire was incorporated. Questionnaire comprised of questions on medication taking behaviour, medication handling techniques including storage and disposal. The data collection form recorded the details of leftover medicines. ResultsThe total economic burden of the population was computed to be rs.72,195.38, which sums up to rs.260 per household the major method of disposal was dumping (70.6%). Solid dosage formulations were the most abundant dosage forms found unused (92%). Storage conditions in households were satisfactory. ConclusionThe evaluation of economic burden of unused medicines, utilization of medicines describes low medication adherence, high drug storage, higher leftover medicines and inappropriate use of medicines which suggests the need to educate the patients about proper and rational use of medicines. The fact that there are no proper disposal techniques for medicines points out the need of public awareness class on safe handling, storage and disposal of drugs in the households.