Home Medication Safety: Provider Education Impact

There are no governing bodies regulating household medication storage and waste. Safe medication storage and disposal is heavily regulated in healthcare facilities. Improper storage and waste leads to harm. Primary care providers routinely educate patients on new medication regarding indications, side effects, interactions, and follow-up. However, there is minimal education about safe storage or disposal of medications. Medications may be kept in homes “just in case” or wasted improperly. Accidental overdose, medication mix-ups, use of expired medication, and ingestion by children are risks posed when medications are improperly stored. Older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions, are at highest risk of harm. Pharmaceutical waste levels in the water supply are rising and have a profound impact on aquatic life. This synthesis of research is a discussion of how primary care providers can utilize education and resources to impact knowledge of home medication practices and enhance safety.