Study of residential expired medicines disposal in Paulínia (SP) area, Brazil

The advancement of science health care provided an increase in drug manufacturing, which in most cases, after the losers, are discarded improperly, usually in the trash. These residues, when in contact with the soil and water, can cause contamination, that even in a network of sewage treatment are not completely eliminated. The aim was to study the disposal given to expired medicines used at homes. For this was made a behavioral research with undergraduate and technicians students located in region of Paulínia, in Sao Paulo. Additionally, were collected information about the degree of knowledge of target on the existence of suitable sites for disposal of medicines and public awareness programs. The results indicate that most people discard medicines improperly by lack of information on the subject.

environmental pollution; drugs disposal; solid waste pharmaceutical