Pharmaceutical Waste Management and Awareness at Household Level: A Cross‐Sectional Survey of Katlehong and Lambton in Ekurhuleni Municipality

Background and Aims With the growing human population, improved access to healthcare, and the increasing burden of disease, the consumption and subsequent disposal of pharmaceuticals is rising. This study assessed and compared household pharmaceutical waste (HPW) storage and disposal, and environmental awareness among residents of Katlehong Township and Lambton Suburb within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. Methods A stratified random sampling technique was used to identify and administer a semi‐structured questionnaire to 303 respondents (Katlehong = 221; Lambton = 82). Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS ver.30 were used to generate descriptive statistics and χ 2 tests. Results The results revealed limited knowledge of what pharmaceutical waste is in Katlehong (39.4%, n = 87) and Lambton (42.7%, n = 35). Despite this, 77% ( n = 233) of respondents expressed willingness to adopt proper disposal practices if adequate education and disposal alternatives are provided. Concerning storage, the most frequently adopted method in Katlehong (43.0%, n = 95) and Lambton (53.7%, n = 44) was inside a medicine box. Residents of Katlehong (61.5%, n = 136) and Lambton (72.0%, n = 59) mostly threw away HPW together with household general waste. Generally, higher‑income households (> R300,000/year) significantly adopted safe HPW disposal methods ( χ 2 (5, 303) = 20.989, p < 0.001, Φ = 0.118, RR (<R500,000/year) = 0.245 (95% CI: 0.934–24.341)), when compared to lower‐income households (< R500,000/year). Moreso, regardless of comparatively lower socio‐economic conditions prevailing in the township of Katlehong, the data revealed statistically significant safer pharmaceutical storage practices ( χ 2 (5, 303) = 20.989, p < 0.001, Φ = 0.121, RR(Kahlehong) = 0.442 (95% CI: 0.204–0.957), as compared to Lambton. Conclusion Overall findings revealed poor pharmaceutical storage and HPW disposal, as well as limited awareness in both study areas. However, annual household income and the socio‐economic status of the suburb did significantly influence HPW disposal and pharmaceutical storage practices, respectively. This highlights the urgent need for public education and accessible take‐back systems to promote safe HPW management across both socioeconomic communities while also incorporating targeted interventions to effect change.