6ER-005 The impact of type of delivery method on medicine waste in households: a questionnaire-based study on outpatients receiving cost-free medicine

<h3>Background and Importance</h3> The increasing number of patients is challenging the healthcare system thus driving the demand for more home-based medical treatments. Patients in hospital treatment at home (outpatients) can acquire their hospital medication ‘cost-free medicine’ either through home delivery or medication pickup lockers. The region aims to transition more patients to medication pickup lockers, as it eases access to necessary treatments. Given the current focus on home-based treatments and the limited tracking of medications in households, it is crucial to investigate the extent of medicine waste to optimise resources. <h3>Aim and Objectives</h3> This study aimed to investigate medication waste from cost-free medicine delivered to outpatients and whether there was an association between excess cost-free medicine and type of delivery method. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> This study included outpatients receiving cost-free medication from March to October 2023 affiliated with either Department of Neurology or Department of Gastroenterology. Outpatients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected to receive a questionnaire, which was distributed in March to April 2024 through Digital Post. As medicine waste is difficult to measure, the questionnaire uses excess of cost-free medication as a surrogate measure for medicine waste, since an excess can lead to medicine waste. Data from outpatients receiving the questionnaire was acquired through Apovision and subsequently stored and managed in REDCap. <h3>Results</h3> Data from the questionnaire shows that 53% of outpatients report having excess cost-free medication at home. For outpatients receiving medicine in medication pickup lockers, 59% report having an excess of cost-free medication, while only 47% of outpatients receiving medication through home deliveries report having an excess. Additionally, medication pickup lockers are associated with larger stores of medicine at home compared to patients receiving home delivery. <h3>Conclusion and Relevance</h3> More than half of the study population had excess cost-free medication within the past year, with the largest excess linked to medication pickup lockers compared to home deliveries. Notably, patients managing their own pickup tend to accumulate more, which, if unused, becomes medicine waste. It may thus be worth investigating whether deliveries through medication pickup lockers should be scheduled at fixed intervals to prevent excessive surplus. <h3>References and/or Acknowledgements</h3> <h3>Conflict of Interest</h3> No conflict of interest