Iana О. Proskurova, Inna V. Kubarieva, Larysa V. Yevsieieva, Galina E. Boldar

Abstract

Background: The irrational use of medicines and their improper disposal is a serious global problem. The presence of unused medicines in households poses a potential danger to both the individual and the environment. Aims: Determination of the presence of unused medicines in home first aid kits (HFAK) of the Ukrainian households, their therapeutic groups, the causes for their non-use and common practices of disposal. Materials and Methods: Materials of the study were the results of the survey by questionnaire. Analytical-comparative, system, logical, mathematical-statistical methods and the method of questioning were used. Research Results: According to the results of a pilot survey conducted among households in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, it was found that 94% of households had unused medicines. It was determined that the number of unused units of drugs in HFAK was an average of 5 units per household; 25.4% of the total number of unused medicines in HFAK was expired. The main causes for non-use of medicines and their collection in HFAK improved health, which did not require further administration of drugs, large package, crossover to another drug, and side effects of the treatment. It was found that the most common therapeutic groups of the second level of the ATC classification among unused medicines in HFAK were: “Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products” (M01), namely group M01A “Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products, non-steroids” (29.7%); J01 “Antibacterials for systemic use”, including antibiotics (17.7%), group N02 “Analgesics” (14.3%). 100% of respondents disposed of unnecessary medications through the sewers or as part of household waste. Conclusions: According to the results of the pilot study, it has been found that in Ukraine there is a problem of the presence of unused medicines in HFAK and improper handling with them. There is an urgent need to address the problem of unused medicines and to conduct public information campaigns on the rational use and safe disposal of medicines in households.Background: The irrational use of medicines and their improper disposal is a serious global problem. The presence of unused medicines in households poses a potential danger to both the individual and the environment. Aims: Determination of the presence of unused medicines in home first aid kits (HFAK) of the Ukrainian households, their therapeutic groups, the causes for their non-use and common practices of disposal. Materials and Methods: Materials of the study were the results of the survey by questionnaire. Analytical-comparative, system, logical, mathematical-statistical methods and the method of questioning were used. Research Results: According to the results of a pilot survey conducted among households in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, it was found that 94% of households had unused medicines. It was determined that the number of unused units of drugs in HFAK was an average of 5 units per household; 25.4% of the total number of unused medicines in HFAK was expired. The main causes for non-use of medicines and their collection in HFAK improved health, which did not require further administration of drugs, large package, crossover to another drug, and side effects of the treatment. It was found that the most common therapeutic groups of the second level of the ATC classification among unused medicines in HFAK were: “Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products” (M01), namely group M01A “Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products, non-steroids” (29.7%); J01 “Antibacterials for systemic use”, including antibiotics (17.7%), group N02 “Analgesics” (14.3%). 100% of respondents disposed of unnecessary medications through the sewers or as part of household waste. Conclusions: According to the results of the pilot study, it has been found that in Ukraine there is a problem of the presence of unused medicines in HFAK and improper handling with them. There is an urgent need to address the problem of unused medicines and to conduct public information campaigns on the rational use and safe disposal of medicines in households.