Pharmaceutical Waste Management in Pharmacies at the Primary Level of Health Care in Serbia - Situation Analysis

Background: Pharmaceutical products can become a potential source of poisoning. The improper disposal of unused medicines is a growing problem throughout the world, with a manifold effect on the cost of health care, public health and the environment. The objectives of this research are the overview of current situation of pharmaceutical waste management in the pharmacy sector in the Republic of Serbia, attitudes and knowledge of pharmacists on the matter and the measures they should undertake in order to make the general public aware of the significance of proper disposal of medications. Methods: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study on entire population of state pharmacies at the primary health care level in the Republic of Serbia, in March 2013. Primary data were collected by filling in a 14 questions questionnaire that was specially designed for this research. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 683 (34 healthcare institutions - pharmacy) pharmacies. According to the data obtained, 76.5% of pharmacies collect expired medicines that people bring there in order to get them put away, while 23.5% pharmacies assert that they do not collect pharmaceutical waste from households at all. Conclusion: The pharmacies have not started to implement their legal obligation of collecting pharmaceutical waste from the citizens yet, at least not in the full range. The development and practical implementation of adequate procedures and facilities for the disposal of this type of waste represents the key step towards the decrease of pharmaceutical waste in the environment.