Implementation of medicine take-back concept at community level in Nepal: a pilot study.

Background: Most households may have leftover, unwanted, unused and expired (UUE) medicines. The present research aimed to analyze feasibility of implementation of medicine take-back in select communities in Nepal.

Methods: Exploratory (i.e. feasibility) study was conducted among 400 adults from July 2017 to January 2018. Study sites and participants were selected by simple random sampling and respondents were interviewed about their awareness about medicine disposal, hazards and willingness to support take-back program using semi-structured questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to explore relationship of take-back related outcomes with the predictors. The P-value < 0.05 was statistically significant at 95% confidence level.

Results: Land pollution and effect on health of children was significantly related with inappropriate disposal of medicines such as site of disposal (P value < 0.01), river (P value, 0.02), garbage (P value, 0.04) and dumping site (P value, 0.01). Analysis of willingness to follow take-back program with the techniques of support showed significant relationship with the establishment of collection center and participation on seminar (P value < 0.01).

Conclusion: Most participants were interested to support take-back, if implemented in their community but main constraint was the budget. Take-back concept could be initiated and implemented on government funding or other sources.