Pharmaceutical waste management in community pharmacies in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Ukamaka G. Okafor, Modupe R. Oyawole, Isimeme B. Sawyer, Nkem M. Obiakor,
Temitope O. Akinboro, Titilayo, A Onedo
Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists (AHAPN)
Lagos State Branch, Nigeria
Corresponding author: Ukamaka G. Okafor
Email: chinaemelum9291@yahoo.com Telephone : +234 8033253463
ABSTRACT
Background: An average community pharmacy in Lagos State, Nigeria, stocks between 2000 to 4000 drug items. A significant amount of waste has been found in both underground and drinking water from these drug items. Poor management of pharmaceutical wastes exposes the community to toxic environmental effects.
Objective: This study assessed the management of pharmaceutical waste by community pharmacies in Lagos State.
Methods: The cross-sectional study among community pharmacists recruited participants through social media platforms or in person at the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) office during their visit.
Results: A total of 211 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 74.4% were aware of proper pharmaceutical waste management. Storage of pharmaceutical wastes were found to be both in the pharmacy and other specified places. About 41.7% were aware of the periodic requests for waste submission by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria while 48.3% were unaware. 71.6% of them generated wastes outside pharmaceutical wastes (chemicals, sharps, infectious) while 23.7% did not. Respondents generated wastes monthly (32.7%), non-regular (23.7%), quarterly (17.5%) and yearly (14.7%). About 43.1% disposed their wastes themselves and 21.3% isposed via regulatory agencies.
Conclusion: The level of awareness of appropriate pharmaceutical waste management is high but the practice of standard disposal methods is low. Measures are needed to improve pharmaceutical waste management in Lagos State.Keywords: Community Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical waste, management, disposal