Management of Unused Medications in Primary Care Patients – Challenges and Opportunities
31 December 2021
Project Categories
Applied/Translational Research
Environmental Sustainability
Platform
Singapore Healthcare Management Congress
Cluster
SingHealth
To identify reasons for medication wastage and disposal practices, and implement solutions to reduce wastage. Proper education and system-wide disposal initiatives can mitigate environmental and healthcare risks.
Year Submitted: 2021
Published Date: 31 December 2021
Tags: Environmental Sustainability, Applied/Translational Research, Pharmaceutical Waste, Quantitative Research
About this Content
Aims
To identify reasons for medication wastage and disposal practices, and implement solutions to reduce wastage.
Background
Improper disposal and overprescription of medications lead to wastage and environmental harm.
Methods
Cross-sectional study using patient surveys.
Results
81.3% collect medications as prescribed, 60.8% discard unused medications improperly, 7% know proper disposal guidelines.
Conclusion
Proper education and system-wide disposal initiatives can mitigate environmental and healthcare risks.
Lessons Learnt
Educating patients and establishing disposal points in healthcare settings can reduce wastage.
Additional Information
SHM 2021 Shortlisted Project
Keywords
Medication Wastage, Disposal Practices
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | SingHealth Polyclinics |
Platform(s) | Singapore Healthcare Management Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Pharmacy |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Pharmacology |
Project Lead(s) | Vivian Chee Wing Ling |
Project Member(s) | Sim Kwang Han |
Connect with this contributor!
Vivian Chee Wing Ling - singaporehealthcaremanagement@singhealth.com.sg
Project Attachment
C_559_SHP_SHM_2021_Management_of_Unused_Medications_in_Primary_Care_Patients.pdf (opens in new tab)