USE, STORAGE, & DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINES AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS: A SURVEY-BASED STUDY

Introduction: The increase in drug consumption in India has resulted in significant health hazards due to improper consumption, storage, and disposal practices among the general population. This study aims to evaluate the awareness and practices of medical students regarding the consumption, storage, and disposal of unused and leftover medications at their homes. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted over three months at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Southern Rajasthan. The study included 258 MBBS students who had voluntarily responded to a survey consisting of 15 questions. The survey assessed demographics, medication storage and use, disposal practices, adverse drug effects, and self-medication habits. Data were analysed in MS Excel as frequency and percentages. Results: Out of 400 medical students approached, 258 (64.5%) responded. Among them, 49.61% always stored medicines at home, mainly painkillers (82.23%) and antibiotics (74.13%). While 87.2% routinely checked expiry dates before consumption, 75.19% disposed of unused/leftover medicines in the trash. Self-medication was practiced by 12.4% of students, with nausea and vomiting being the most reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Conclusion: Medical students are aware about the expiry date, and they procure medicines mainly after seeking professional consultation. Yet medicine storage and disposal practices were largely inadequate. There is a need to increase awareness among them regarding proper storage and disposal practices as well as to sensitize them about the possible hazards of inappropriate drug disposal to human beings and the environment.