Economic consequences of unused medications in Houston, Texas.
BACKGROUND
It is likely that a large amount of unused and outdated medications exists in households throughout the US; however, the amount and potential costs of these medications are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the amount, types, and costs of unused medications present in a neighborhood surrounding a community pharmacy in Houston, Texas.


METHODS
A community trial was conducted between April and September 2002. This pilot study investigated the quantity and types of drugs returned to a community pharmacy over a 6-month period.


RESULTS
During the study period, approximately 17000 oral pills worth over US dollars 26000 were collected in 1315 medication containers. Medications collected were from all drug classes and types (pharmaceutical samples, over-the-counter and prescription drugs).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that an enormous amount of unused medications were present in a community in the US. Community pharmacies may be an ideal venue to collect and destroy these unused drugs.
Garey
Kevin W
KW
Department of Clinical Sciences and Administration, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77030-3047, USA. kgarey@uh.edu
Johle
Mikki L
ML
Behrman
Kathy
K
Neuhauser
Melinda M
MM
D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000191:economics*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D013781:Texas
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations