Assessment of unused drugs management of households in Dam Doi and Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province and students studying in Can Tho city

Abstract

This study investigated the current status of drugs use and management of unused drugs through direct interviews of 65 households in Ca Mau province and 30 students studying in Can Tho city. The study results show that some active ingredients could potentially affect the environment such as acetaminophen and antibiotics including ampicilin 500mg, cephalexin 500, amoxciline, augtipha 525 mg, ofmanfine-domesco, scanax 500 and tetracyline. The survey outcome shows that the interviewees do not understand the potential harm of drugs to the environment. The common practices for managing unused drugs are burning them with domestic wastes, directly discharging into the environment or reusing for treating diseases of animals. The level of knowledge regarding the need of good practices for managing unused drugs was very low. The awareness of the drug harmful effects on the environment is different between rural and urban communities. Although the students have higher awareness of the unused drugs harmful effects compared to the local people, the unused drug treatment practices are similar among the respondents. That implies that waste management system is still inadequate at the two study sites. It is necessary to strengthen the management of left over drugs in the community to limit the risks to health and the environment.