The Improper Disposal of Drugs and the Lack of Information About It Among a Highly Educated Population in Brazil: Analysis of the Factors Influencing Correct Disposal

The improper disposal of household pharmaceuticals is a global public health concern, posing risks to both human health and the environment and highlighting the need to raise public awareness. This study aimed to identify individual characteristics associated with the inappropriate disposal of household pharmaceuticals and to determine which individuals may require greater awareness. This cross-sectional study included 310 participants who completed an online questionnaire collecting sociodemographic and clinical information, as well as data regarding the participants' use, storage, and disposal of medications. Most participants were female (74%), single (57%), had a university degree (81%), and were 34 ± 12 years old; 37% had some non-communicable disease (NCD), 85% used some medication, and 62% disposed of pharmaceuticals inappropriately. Having no undergraduate degree (OR = 4.4; 95% CI = 2.01-9.8), an absence of NCDs (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1-5.6), a lack of knowledge about reverse logistics (OR = 3.6; 95% CI = 1.7-7.6) or environmental risks (OR = 13.5; 95% CI = 1.5-125), and a lack of guidance from healthcare professionals (OR = 3.6; 95% CI = 1.2-10.6) were associated with inappropriate disposal. Although most respondents (88.6%) were aware of the negative environmental impacts of improper disposal, 69.7% did not know what reverse logistics was or where to find collection points (73.5%). These findings highlight the importance of environmental education for the effective implementation of reverse logistics for household pharmaceuticals.