DESCARTE DE MEDICAMENTOS VENCIDOS E NÃO UTILIZADOS: ESTUDO SOBRE A CONSCIENTIZAÇÃO DOS PACIENTES

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Self-medication and medication storage practices in homes are deeply rooted in people's routine. Self-medication is often used as an immediate response to relieve symptoms, while storing medications at home is a precaution for possible health emergencies. Therefore, many medications end up exceeding their expiration date while they are stored and need to be discarded. This work aimed to analyze patient awareness and disposal of medicines with expired expiration dates. In order for this objective to be achieved, specific objectives were proposed, namely: verifying patients' knowledge about the risks associated with the use of medicines after the expiration date; identify patients' current practices regarding disposal of expired medications, including methods used and preferred disposal locations; and analyze the main reasons why patients do not correctly dispose of medicines that have expired. The study referred to a quantitative, exploratory and cross-sectional research, through a bibliographical review and questionnaire application to 100 people who use medication without a medical prescription and store medications at home. Of these participants, the majority rarely self-medicate (53%), with analgesics being the most used class of medication (87%) and the majority store them in a dry and cool place (56%). Furthermore, the majority of participants always check the expiration date of medicines before using them (64%), know the risks of using medicines after the expiration date (60%) and discard expired medicines in the general trash ( 60%). Finally, half of the participants are aware of the environmental and health risks of inappropriate medication disposal (50%). It is concluded that, although many participants are aware of the risks associated with inappropriate medication disposal, inappropriate practice is still common, which suggests a disconnect between knowledge and actual practices.