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Exploring Awareness of Planetary Health and Antibiotic Disposal Advice Across Australian Pharmacies: A Mystery Shopping Expedition
28 Pages Posted: 1 Jul 2024
More...Abstract
Background Information: Inappropriate disposal of unused antimicrobials can push the environment out of balance, and increase the likelihood of antimicrobial-resistant organisms to grow. Our aim was to investigate the recommendations for the disposal of unwanted antibiotics given as advice to consumers by community pharmacists practising in Australia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study using mystery shopping explored pharmacists' recommendations for disposing of unwanted antibiotics. Simulated patients called community pharmacies across Australia for advice on disposing of leftover antibiotic mixtures.
Findings: Of 1577 pharmacists called across Australia, over 59% recommended incorrect disposal methods, i.e., putting the leftover antibiotic syrup in the home rubbish bin, or down the sink or toilet, 28.4% recommended putting the unused antibiotic straight into the rubbish bin, and 10 pharmacists recommended throwing the leftover syrup on the grass, soil, or in a street drain. There were 19 pharmacists who did not want to recommend disposal at all; some recommended calling the prescriber to ask. Of the pharmacists who advised consumers to return unwanted antibiotic liquid to their pharmacy, 21 (1.3% overall) indicated that they would pour it down the sink at the pharmacy upon being returned.
Interpretation: Pharmacists' advice on antibiotic disposal varied despite the availability of a national scheme enabling consumers to return unwanted medicines to pharmacies for this purpose. Enhanced education and policies could help pharmacists guide the public on proper disposal.
Funding: This study was unfunded.
Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Ethical Approval: This project was approved by the institution’s Human Research and Ethics Committee (Project no: 36518). An opt-out process was employed where an email after the mystery shopping data was collected was sent to the pharmacies, and they were given two weeks to opt-out and remove their data.
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