{
  "abstract": "Background and Importance The increasing presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment and, consequently long-term drug exposure, even at low doses, can have a significant impact on safety and health of human beings and animals.Customers’ improper disposal (by trashing or flushing) represents one of the possible ways of access to ecosystems for wasted pharmaceutical products, emphasising the importance of awareness activities, in which hospital pharmacists could play a key role.Aim and Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and habits, concerning disposal of household pharmaceutical waste, of hospital pharmacy dispensing service users in a hospital, in order to develop a proper system for raising consciousness about drug pollution.Material and Methods Data were collected by means of anonymous and voluntary survey, consisting of five multiple choice-items, in a 2-month period. A total of 120 users (34 people of 18-40 years; 60 of 40-65 years; 26 of 65 years and more) answered the questionnaire; the responses were analysed using a spreadsheet and expressed as weighted average of the three age-categories.Results According to the survey, 112/120 of users understand the environmental impact of an incorrect disposal of expired/unused drugs; however, the concept of ecopharmacovigilance is not widespread (only 53/120 of respondents had knowledge of it).Survey results showed that the role of digital media (website, social network) in sharing this information was essential in the 18-40 years age group (24/34); the same role was played by traditional media, including television in the 40-65 years age group and the 65 years and more age groups (37/60 and 19/26, respectively).The survey also indicates that 104/120 of respondents pay close attention to proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste, dropping them off at designed location, like community pharmacies (19/34 of the 18-40 years age group, 53/60 of the 40-65 years age group and 18/26 of the 65 years and more age group).Conclusion and Relevance Although a relevant percentage of respondents understands the importance of a proper use and disposal of pharmaceutical products, awareness activities, involving hospital pharmacists, are essential in promoting correct behaviours.For this purpose, simplified guidelines on the proper disposal of household pharmaceutical waste (drugs, medical device) were developed and made available through a QR code to all users of direct hospital pharmacy dispensing service.Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Hospital Pharmacy Specialisation – University of Palermo, Stebicef, Palermo, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "C Baiamonte"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Azienda Ospedaliera ‘Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia – Cervello’, U.O.C. Farmacia, Palermo, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "G Cancellieri"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Azienda Ospedaliera ‘Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia – Cervello’, U.O.C. Farmacia, Palermo, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "P Polidori"
    }
  ],
  "title": "1ISG-001 Environmental impact of pharmaceuticals: a survey on knowledge of patients attending a hospital pharmacy dispensing service",
  "uid": "26a8a5d3-54c2-5a08-95eb-19aa5e4ff05e"
}