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Improper disposal of unused and expired medicines from homes, pharmacies, and health facilities continues to introduce pharmaceutical contaminants into the environment, posing risks to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana’s third most industrialized city with an annual population growth rate of 2% and home to over 80 health facilities, there is a lack of research data on the disposal patterns of medicines among its inhabitants. To capture a holistic view of pharmaceutical waste management, this study assessed disposal patterns across both households and retail pharmacies in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, providing a comprehensive understanding of disposal behaviors along the medicine use and supply chain. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 374 households and 59 retail pharmacies and over-the-counter medication shops in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis to assess the disposal pattern for unused and expired medications. The results indicated that households primarily discarded unused and expired medicines in garbage bins (308/82.35%), flushed them down the sink (69/18.45%), or used incineration (32/8.56%). For retail pharmacies, 23 respondents (38.98%) reported placing solid-form medicines in trash cans, while 23 (38.98%) returned them to the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for disposal. Regarding liquid-form pharmaceuticals, 21 pharmacies (35.59%) returned them to the FDA, while 17 (28.81%) discarded them in garbage bins. For semi-solid forms, 23 pharmacies (38.98%) used trash cans and 22 (37.29%) relied on FDA collection. The widespread use of inappropriate disposal methods, particularly among households, suggests a lack of awareness or limited access to proper pharmaceutical waste management practices. These findings highlight the need for improved public education and the implementation of structured take-back programs. Regulatory authorities should enforce organized collection systems to reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceutical waste.
Opoku et al. (Tue,) studied this question.