Reducing any wastage, including that of medication, is an important priority objective at both a national and European level due to the direct and indirect consequeces of wastage. Following an in-depth study, medication wastage has been defined in the Maltese context. This provides a common ground on which to base local policy to address the issue. The extent of medication wastage has been studied and documented in various countries. Yet to date there is still a lack of policy guidance in relation to medication wastage. This paper highlights the available literature in relation to medication wastage and urges the need to further explore and implement wastage reduction strategies. ; peer-reviewed
The World Health Organization states that globally more than half of all medication is inappropriately prescribed, dispensed or sold with a need to implement wastage reduction strategies. Developing processes which include behaviour change theories, such as the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), significantly impacts the positive implementation of evidence into healthcare practice. Objective To describe and understand the beliefs and behaviours regarding medication wastage of the Maltese public and healthcare professionals (HCPs) and to explore potential solutions. Setting: Malta. Method Five 90 min audio recorded focus groups (2 public and 3 HCPs) were conducted with a purposive sample who responded to a previous survey study and were willing to participate in focus groups in Malta. The guide was based upon the TDF with interview questions derived from findings of the questionnaire phase. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis was carried using the framework approach. Main outcome measure Beliefs and behaviours regarding medication wastage and potential solutions to reduce medication wastage. Results A total of eleven pharmacists, six doctors and six members of the public consented to participate. Focus groups conducted with HCPs and the general public identified the following four key themes aligned with the TDF domains to address proposed solutions to minimise medication wastage: (1) practitioner effects; (2) patients effects; (3) political effects; (4) societal effects. Conclusion This study has employed a theoretical framework to obtain a better understanding of facilitators which require attention as part of strategic development.
Background Medication wastage is a global issue, with key public health implications in terms of safety, the environment and the economy. A recently conducted systematic review of the published literature identified a lack of focus on the views of healthcare professionals and the general public. Objective To explore awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to medication wastage amongst the general public in Malta. Setting Malta. Method Survey methodology employing a pre-piloted questionnaire was developed from theoretical frameworks of behaviour. Questionnaire items comprised open, closed and 5-point Likert scales. Medication adherence as a possible factor associated with wastage was measured using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Random sample of 1920 was obtained from the Maltese electoral register 2013. Ethical approval was obtained. Main outcome measures Awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to medication wastage amongst the general public in Malta. Results Response rate was 20.4%. The majority (70.6%) agreed that they were fully aware of the issue of wastage and 71.9% disagreed that they had no interest in wastage. The following were significantly related to increased awareness of wastage: older age (p=0.003), pensioners (p=0.011), on regular medication (p=0.021) and obtaining free medication (p=0.026). Lack of interest in wastage was significantly related to obtaining free medication by government (p=0.022), with those purchasing medication being significantly more interested (p=0.028). While 75.1% of respondents on regular medication self-reported not being fully adherent, there were no associations with awareness (p=0.100) and interest in wastage (p=0.385). Unemployed were more likely to report contribution towards wastage (p=0.010) and the presence of a healthcare professional as family member was significantly related to confidence in ability to reduce wastage (p=0.009). 46.2% claimed to have unused medication at home and improvement in patient's medical condition was the main ...
