Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Selected Community Pharmacists towards the Disposal of Unused and Expired Medicines at Kalaburagi City

Purpose: Disposing of unused and expired drugs presents a critical challenge with far-reaching implications for public health and environmental well-being. This issue has gained increasing attention as pharmaceutical consumption rises globally. Improper disposal practices can contaminate water bodies, soil, and ecosystems, endangering human and aquatic life. Hazards to human and environmental health and safety are high when pharmaceuticals that have been used and are no longer needed are not properly disposed of. This is why the current research is an effort to gather data on the understanding of Kalaburagi City's community pharmacists regarding proper disposal of leftover and expired medications. Methodology: The study was conducted in various areas and colonies of Kalaburagi city, over six months from March to August 2023 for evaluating opinions with regards to disposing of unwanted medicines. Tools and teaching aids used for the study are specially designed pretested and validated questionnaires, leaflets, and videos. The study design used is “A case-control study”. The inclusion criteria were, Pharmacists willing to participate, Government pharmacists, and Private pharmacists. The exclusion criteria were, Pharmacists who were not interested in participating, and person without a pharmacy background. The survey was carried out in Kalaburagi city and was divided into two groups North (test) and South (control). The test group received counseling regarding the methods of disposal of unused and expired medicines and leaflets, whereas the control group received only leaflets. Results: A study of 461 pharmacists found that 79% were male and 21% female, with 42.3% aged 31 to 40. Notably, 92% regularly check medication expiry dates, and 85% are concerned about drugs polluting the environment. An overwhelming 94% support drug take-back programs. Most pharmacists (84%) recognize improper disposal as a health risk, and 92% return expired medicines to manufacturers. For disposal methods, 49% suggest returning expired meds to pharmacists, while 10% recommend flushing and 24% advise disposal in sinks. There is a push for increased consumer awareness, with 50% wanting healthcare professionals to educate on safe disposal, and 38% advocating for government-led programs. Conclusion: The awareness regarding, the impact of improper disposal of pharmaceutical products is still unknown. It is a cornered issue and needs to be focused on. The current methods and practices are not optimal and upgraded. Pharmacists possess knowledge regarding the proper disposal of unused and expired medicines. However, they often lack the attitude to implement these practices effectively. Lack of standardized disposal facilities, limited regulatory enforcement policies and public awareness regarding safe disposal have contributed to the gap between the knowledge and practice of pharmacists.