A cross-sectional study on perceptions towards safe disposal of unused/expired medicines and its associated factors among the public in Saudi Arabia-a threat to the environment and health.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The unsafe disposal of pharmaceutical waste poses significant health hazards and causes environmental pollution on a global scale. The lack of specifically authorized guidelines in Saudi Arabia for the disposal of unused medicines available at home creates an undue economic burden and potentially threatens the environment and healthcare.

Aim

The current study aimed to determine the presence, disposal practices, and perceptions of unused or expired household medicines. Furthermore, it identifies the association between demographic characteristics and the presence, disposal practices, and perceptions of the safe disposal of unused/expired medicines. The study also intended to obtain opinions on methods to control the hazardous effects of waste medicines and promote

SUBMITTER: Khan NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12032961 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature