Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Practices in Volta Regional Pharmacies

Appropriate disposal of pharmaceutical waste (PCW) is necessary to avoid potential risks and harm to the environment. Globally, there is extensive literature on the disposal practices of households and hospitals. However, literature on the disposal practices by pharmacies in Ghana is scanty, particularly in the study setting, the Volta Region of Ghana. This study (i) investigated the methods of PCW disposal, (ii) assessed the awareness and compliance of pharmacies with the disposal guidelines of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and (iii) evaluated the impact of the years of existence and category of community pharmacies on compliance with FDA guidelines. A prospective cross-sectional study design was used. Trained data collectors sampled all 81 registered pharmacies in the Volta Region. Questionnaires used were adapted from tools used in previous published studies. Descriptive data were presented in tables, and associations were measured with chi-square tests. Statistical tests were set at 95% confidence intervals and p values set at 5% significance. Seventy-four pharmacists responded to the questionnaire. Disposal through the FDA was the commonest method for all categories of dosage forms surveyed. The second most common method of disposal for all categories of dosage forms was by returning to parent companies. The majority of pharmacists (93.2%) were aware of the FDA (Ghana) disposal guidelines. However, 35.1% of pharmacies complied, 45.9% did not comply, and 2.7% were partially compliant. The type or category of pharmacy was not associated with compliance with disposal guidelines (p value = 0.889). However, the years of existence of pharmacies were associated with compliance with disposal guidelines (p value = 0.008). Although pharmacists in the Volta Region are aware of the PCW disposal guidelines of the FDA (Ghana), regardless of their years of experience and the type/category of community pharmacy they operate, they do not comply with these guidelines.