Ανάλυση φαρμάκων και προϊόντων υγείας που επεστράφησαν σε φαρμακείο του Δήμου Διονύσου Αττικής και εκτίμηση κόστους και σπατάλης
Analysis of medicines and healthcare products returned to a community pharmacy of Municipality of Dionysos, Attiki and estimation of cost and waste
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Abstract
The management of unused medications is a significant issue in the context of healthcare, both in Greece and in many other countries. A common problem is the accumulation and storage of unused medicines at home. Excessive stockpiling of medications in household pharmacies requires attention, as it can lead to waste with economic, environmental, and health consequences, or even pose risks to health.
Pharmaceutical waste is a global issue affecting Greece and other countries around the world. Studies from Italy and Austria indicate that large quantities of medications expire or remain unused, and their management is often carried out using improper practices. Data analysis from various studies highlights that certain categories of medications, such as those for the cardiovascular, digestive, and nervous systems, as well as antibiotics, significantly contribute to this waste.
As a result, actions for the return and collection of unused medications are necessary. In some countries, a legal framework exists for the return of unused and/or expired household pharmaceutical products, while in others, return procedures are limited to medications from hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
In Greece, the legal framework stipulates that expired medications are returned to pharmacies, where they are managed by state agencies for safe disposal. At the same time, non-profit organizations such as Givmed offer the opportunity to donate unexpired medications, promoting social solidarity and supporting vulnerable groups.
This study focuses on analyzing the cost and waste of unused medications using data from the return of medications to a private pharmacy in the municipality of Dionysos, Attica. The research emphasizes the analysis of the cost and volume of returned medications, aiming to investigate the causes and consequences of pharmaceutical waste. Additionally, a questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of a sample population on issues related to the management and disposal of medications.
The study results revealed that a significant portion of returned medications were expired and thus disposed off appropriately. A considerable amount of unexpired medications were donated for charitable purposes. The most common therapeutic categories included medications for the nervous and cardiovascular systems, as well as for digestion and metabolism.
However, the research highlights the limited awareness among citizens regarding proper practices for managing and disposing of medications, as well as the lack of knowledge about organizations that facilitate the social reuse of medications. Enhancing public awareness and education is essential to address this issue effectively.
Postgraduate Studies Programme
Οικονομικά και Διοίκηση της ΥγείαςDepartment
Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Οικονομικής ΕπιστήμηςNumber of pages
96Language
GreekCollections
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα