Abstract

Pharmaceutical waste is becoming a critical global issue due to its increasing release into the environment during both consumption and disposal. Households are the primary source of pharmaceutical pollution. However, research on the prevalence of household pharmaceutical waste, particularly in aging societies, is limited. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, to investigate the prevalence and management practices associated with unused household pharmaceuticals. Data were collected through questionnaires and in-home survey, focusing on health status, unused medications in households, and general disposal practices. Of the 400 participants, 45 (11%) reported having unused medications. Unused medications are particularly prevalent among individuals with chronic illnesses, especially older adults. Those aged 60 and above are more likely to accumulate larger quantities of unused medications at home. Notably, over half (57%) of the participants reported discarding unused medications alongside their regular household waste. Non-adherence was identified as the main reason for unused medications among individuals with chronic illnesses (69%, ρ < 0.05), with hypertensive medications being the most commonly reported. Frequently unused medications in households included antihypertensive and psychiatric drugs. Most unused medicines were ultimately disposal of in landfills, with only 27% of respondents returning them to healthcare facilities for proper disposal. This study highlights the urgent need to educate society about responsible medication use and disposal practices to decrease the risk of pharmaceutical pollution, particularly among elderly populations who frequently require long-term medical treatment and multiple prescriptions.