dc.contributor.author | Mburu, Julius N | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-10-16T07:53:50Z | |
dc.date.available | 2014-10-16T07:53:50Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2012 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11295/74417 | |
dc.description | Disssertation | en_US |
dc.description.abstract | BACKGROUND
Pharmaceutical waste is waste consisting oflor containing pharmaceuticals which have expired
or are no longer needed and their containers or items containing or contaminated with
pharmaceuticals. Enforcing proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste is challenging because there
are no direct benefits accrued, among other factors like unawareness to guidelines.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the generation, handling and disposal of pharmaceutical waste by community
pharmacy outlets in Nairobi, Kenya.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. We randomly selected 25 community pharmacies
from Huriingham, Upperhill, downtown and the central business district areas within Nairobi and
administered a predesigned questionnaire for filling. Twenty two filled in questionnaires. The
data obtained was analyzed using Microsoft excel and results presented in tables, charts and
graphs.
RESULTS
More than half of pharmaceutical waste generated in community pharmacy outlets comes from
expired pharmaceuticals while a third of all wastes can be attributed to damaged, contaminated
and spoilt pharmaceuticals. Environmentally hazardous methods of disposal such as open
dumping, sewer disposal and burning in the open are still practiced. Most respondents are aware
that their waste disposal methods pose a risk to the environment, humans, animals or aquatic life.
Almost half of the respondents make effort towards minimizing potential threats of waste
pharmaceuticals mainly by reducing amount of waste generated or using proper disposal
methods.
CONCLUSION
Community pharmacy outlets in Nairobi generate a substantial amount of pharmaceutical waste
from their day to day operations and most have multiple sources of wastes. Awareness of
disposal policies, guidelines and methods is poor. The disposal methods used have potential
threats not only to the environment but also to humans, animals and aquatic life. | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | University of Nairobi | en_US |
dc.title | Handling of pharmaceutical waste in community pharmacies in Nairobi, Kenya | en_US |
dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
dc.description.department | a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya | |
dc.type.material | en_US | en_US |