ARMAZENAMENTO E DESCARTE DE RESÍDUOS DE MEDICAMENTOS PELA POPULAÇÃO: UMA EXPERIÊNCIA DE IMPLEMENTAÇÃO

ABSTRACT Introduction: Inadequate storage and disposal of medicines pose significant risks to public health and the environment, particularly in domestic settings. Federal Decree No. 10,388, enacted on June 5, 2020, mandates that drugstores and pharmacies provide collection points for expired and unused medications. This regulatory change required pharmaceutical establishments to develop strategies to ensure the proper and sustainable disposal of solid waste under their responsibility, aiming to comply with the law, safeguard public health, and preserve the environment. Objective: To describe the experience of implementing Decree No. 10,388/2020 in a drugstore located in Cidade Ocidental, Goiás, highlighting the impacts of reverse logistics. Methods: This qualitative and descriptive study was based on an experience report, utilizing documentary data and a literature review on medication disposal practices. Collection records, drugstore infrastructure, and practices adopted for implementing the decree were analyzed. Results: The initiative significantly increased the proper disposal of medications, rising from 26.4 kg in 2018 to an annual average of 67.2 kg between 2020 and 2023. It also raised local community awareness regarding environmental impacts. Conclusion: The implementation of the decree effectively promoted safe disposal practices and mitigated environmental risks, underscoring the strategic role of pharmacists in fostering public awareness and sustainability. Keywords: Storage; Disposal; Medicines; Reverse logistics; Implementation; Federal Decree No. 10,388 of 2020.