Abstract
In this study, we assessed the general population's medicines disposal practices in Telangana, India. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured self-administered questionnaire over a 3-month in 2019. A total of 163 individuals took the survey. Of them, two-thirds were male (65.4%). The majority (84.3%) reported they purchased medicines using prescriptions. Approximately, 82%, 66.5%, and 8.1% of the respondents used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics. Further, most respondents (88.2%) checked the expiry dates of medicines before purchasing. The majority (57.5%) kept unused medicines at home until expiry, and approximately two-thirds (74.35%) disposed expired medicines in the household garbage. Our study shows that the majority of the people surveyed kept unused medicines at home. Therefore, there is a need to create awareness about safe drug disposal and the public health and environmental risks associated with inadequate drug disposal methods.