Patterns of Usage, Disposal, and Environmental Impact of Expired Medications: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Expired medications, when misused or improperly disposed of, pose significant risks to human health and the environment. This study investigates the storage, usage, and disposal patterns of expired drugs among 122 participants and evaluates the chemical stability and microbiological safety of selected medications beyond their expiration dates. Survey data revealed inadequate awareness of proper disposal methods, with 72.28% of participants discarding expired drugs in regular trash. Laboratory analysis demonstrated significant declines in chemical potency and antimicrobial activity in expired pharmaceuticals, highlighting potential contributions to therapeutic failure and antimicrobial resistance. These findings underscore the urgent need for public education campaigns, pharmaceutical take-back programs, and stricter regulatory frameworks to mitigate health and environmental risks.