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Extent of storage and wastage of antibacterial agents in Palestinian households

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Abstract

Objective Inappropriate use of antibacterial agents may lead to drug wastage and potential therapeutic failures in the future. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of storage, and wastage of antibacterial agents in households in Palestine. Method This was a cross sectional, questionnaire-based study of households in northern Palestine. Any antibacterial agents present in the surveyed households were investigated and family members were interviewed. Main outcome measure Number and type of antibacterial agents stored in each household. Results The total number of antibacterial agents in the 465 surveyed households was 641, constituting 11.3% of the total stored medications. The average number of antibacterial agents was 1.4 ± 1.74 per household. The most common antibacterial agents encountered were amoxicillin (29.5%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (11.6%). Family size (P < 0.001), total number of stored medications (P < 0.001), and presence of elderly residents (>65 years) (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with the presence of antibacterial agents. Furthermore, the level of parental education was significantly and positively (P = 0.009, r = 0.128; P = 0.013, r = 0.122 for father and mother respectively) correlated with the number of antibacterial agents found in the households. More than one-third (37.4%) of antibacterial agents were stored within the reach of children. Wasted antibacterial agents, defined as those which had expired or those with no clear expiry date were 16.4 and 10.1%, respectively. The percentage of antibacterial agents that were not currently in use was 69.3%. Estimated total value of antibacterial agents found in the study was $4,769, approximately $11.5 per household. The total wastage of antibacterial agents was valued at $2,790, approximately $6.7 per household. Conclusion Antibacterial agents were commonly encountered in Palestinian households, and a relatively large percentage was being wasted.

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Acknowledgement

The author would like to acknowledge An-Najah National University pharmacy students for their help in accomplishing this project.

Funding

No funding was available for this project.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest directly relevant to the content of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Poison and Drug Information center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine

    Ansam Sawalha

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  1. Ansam Sawalha
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Correspondence to Ansam Sawalha.

Appendix 1: The questionnaire used in the investigation of stored medications

Appendix 1: The questionnaire used in the investigation of stored medications

  1. 1.

    Name of the interviewee

  2. 2.

    Age of the interviewee

  3. 3.

    Education of the father

    1. (1)

      College

    2. (2)

      Third grade—High school

    3. (3)

      Illiterate

  4. 4.

    Education of the mother

    1. (1)

      College

    2. (2)

      Third grade—High school

    3. (3)

      Illiterate

  5. 5.

    Place of living

    1. (1)

      City

    2. (2)

      Village/suburbs

  6. 6.

    Income

    1. (1)

      High

    2. (2)

      Middle

    3. (3)

      Low

  7. 7.

    Number of family members

  8. 8.

    Number of family members <6 years of age

  9. 9.

    Number of family members >65 years of age

  10. 10.

    Any member in the family with chronic disease?

  11. 11.

    If yes, what is the chronic disease

  12. 12.

    Any member in the family who works as a health care provider.

  13. 13.

    Is there a medical insurance for the family?

  14. 14.

    If yes, what type of insurance?

  15. 15.

    Fill in the following table for each medication stored at home

Brand name of the medication

 

Pharmaceutical dosage form

 

Quantity of the medication present

 

Who is using the medication now

 

Do you know the therapeutic use of the medication

 

Frequency of use of the medication

 

Expiration date of the medication

 

Is the medication in its original package?

 

Where the medication is stored

 

What is the source of the medication

 

Price of the medication

 

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Sawalha, A. Extent of storage and wastage of antibacterial agents in Palestinian households. Pharm World Sci 32, 530–535 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-010-9404-y

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