Unused medications at home — reasons and costs

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To examine types and quantities of unused medications in a sample of households and to investigate reasons for the unused medications and associated factors, including costs. Method A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 931 households in the Songkhla province of Thailand. The households were visited and interviews were conducted with owners of unused medication using a structured questionnaire. Unused medications were collected, identified and quantified and their costs were calculated. Descriptive analysis of the type and amount of unused medications was conducted, including the characteristics of the owners and their reasons for having unused medications. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with having unused medications. Key findings A total of 1,004 unused medication items were identified from 523 respondents who had unused medications. Oral dosage forms comprised 95.6% of all items, and totalled 14,297 doses. The median number of unused medications per household was 2. The most common therapeutic categories were musculoskeletal conditions, infections and the respiratory system. Thirty-seven per cent of all unused medications needed to be used continuously. The most frequently cited reason for having unused medications was that patients believed their symptoms or disease had resolved, and thus that the medications were no longer needed. Younger patients and those who had no chronic disease were more likely to cite this reason. The average cost of unused medications per household was 0.8 Euro. Conclusions This study has documented the types and quantities of unused medications and found that their costs were modest. Patients' perceptions of the need for, and effectiveness of, medication were the most frequent reasons for having unused medications. Age, gender and chronic disease were significantly associated with respondents' reported reasons for having unused medications.