1. Maryam Noureldin and Sumaya Bahrami, PharmD Candidates, Anne Packard, PharmD Student A. Carmine Colavecchia, PharmD, MS, BCPS and Patricia L. Darbishire, PharmD Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN Maryam Noureldin and Sumaya Bahrami, PharmD Candidates, Anne Packard, PharmD Student A. Carmine Colavecchia, PharmD, MS, BCPS and Patricia L. Darbishire, PharmD Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN Patient Demographics Objective: To engage students with local communities to determine what types of medications commonly go unused, discover common medication disposal practices, gauge the public’s opinion on medication disposal, and collect unwanted medications. Background: In 2014, more than 4 billion prescriptions were filled in the United States, with an average of 13 prescriptions per person (IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, 2013). The typical US household contains a cabinet full of herbal remedies, over-the-counter, and prescription medications. Few opportunities for public disposal exist in the US, other than periodic events arranged by the Drug Enforcement Agency, police departments or community collection events. A short discussion between patient and pharmacist offers an opportunity to intervene, educate and promote adherence. Collection events provide opportunities for students to research disposal practices, provide education to the public, and eliminate unwanted and dangerous medications from homes and our environment. Students discovered that the public continues to use improper disposal methods although most are aware of the environmental harm. Students learned that narcotics were the most common drugs collected and that collection/proper disposal decreases misuse. An IRB-approved community service project involved a series of 15 public medication take-back events held between years 2012-2015. Medications were accepted from individuals aged 18 and older. Each participant was asked to complete a 15-item anonymous questionnaire that focused on patient knowledge and attitudes on medication disposal methods. Drug name, class, legend status, quantity prescribed and returned, and expiration date were recorded for each medication returned. Medications were transported to an environmentally-friendly disposal company for incineration. Agen=457% 0-10224.8% 11-20357.7% 21-408017.5% 41-6421948.0% ≥6518540.5% Class of Medicationn=4972% Prescription287357.8% Over-the-counter201040.4% Veterinary medications891.8% 478 questionnaires were collected from participants. 4993 medications and personal care products were identified and analyzed. Average number of medications returned/person = 10. Average years the product was expired = 4.8. Medications Collected Psychiatric8% First time attendee n=465% Yes32068.8% No14531.2% Willing to pay for collection n=447% Nothing24354.4% $1.00-$5.9915234.0% $6.00-$10.99327.2% $11.00-$15.0092.0% >$15.00112.5% Knows reasons for proper disposal n=466% Yes44194.6% No71.5% Unsure183.9% Knows where to take medications n=457% Yes28863.0% No8017.5% Unsure8919.5% Improper disposal hurts environment n=460% Yes44997.6% No10.2% Unsure102.2% Approve of government interventionn=458% Yes16034.9% No13429.3% Unsure16435.8% Male24% Female47% Male and female 29% Pharmacy Research on Medication Disposal Practices using Service-Learning Gender(s) Reported on Survey Age of Patient Disposal Practices from Survey Responses Objective and BackgroundMethods Medication ownern=478% Mine36275.7% Family member30062.8% Friend224.6% Animal439.0% Other153.1% Reason for disposing n=477% Medical condition resolved16033.5% Medication changed20442.8% Reaction/side effect8718.2% Medication expired33670.6% Forgot to finish it357.3% Abuse/theft concern71.5% Patient deceased7315.3% Other316.5% Previous methods of disposaln=474% Never disposed of medications13227.8% Placed in trash15332.3% Flushed in toilet11824.9% Took to pharmacy or HC provider5611.8% Gave to a friend or relative122.5% Medication collection event10722.6% Police station5812.2% Other132.7% Origin of Medicationn=477% Local pharmacy41483.3% Mail order pharmacy12125.4% Internet40.8% Veteran’s Administration234.8% Doctor’s office sample439.0% Purchased OTC15432.3% Other296.1% Don’t know214.4% Medications Returned - Separated by Drug Class Reflection and Conclusion