Survey of Disposal Practices for Unused and Expired Medicines in Households in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria

Improper disposal of unused or expired pharmaceutical products poses environmental and public health risks, including contamination of water sources and potential abuse of discarded medicines. This study surveyed the disposal practices of unused and expired medicines among households in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 320 household heads selected through systematic random sampling across four urban wards in Uyo. The questionnaire assessed frequency of medicine stockpiling, methods used for disposal, awareness of pharmaceutical waste hazards, and sources of guidance on proper disposal. Findings showed that 43 percent of households disposed of medicines in household trash, 28 percent flushed them down drains or toilets, and only 12 percent returned unused medicines to pharmacies or health facilities. Awareness of environmental risks from pharmaceutical waste was low, with only 34 percent identifying water contamination as a consequence of improper disposal. The study identified the absence of formal medicine take-back programs and low public awareness as major barriers to safe disposal. Pharmacists are recommended to take a leading role in establishing community medicine take-back programs and educating households on environmentally safe disposal methods. Regulatory bodies including NAFDAC should develop national pharmaceutical waste disposal guidelines accessible to the general public. Keywords: medicine disposal, pharmaceutical waste, household medicines, Uyo, environmental health