A systematic review of the literature on ‘medication wastage’: an exploration of causative factors and effect of interventions

Abstract

The systematic review has identified a limited literature on medication wastage with a lack of consistency of terms. There is a paucity of robust research focusing on the impact of healthcare interventions on outcomes around medication wastage.

Applying the Delphi technique to define ‘medication wastage’

“…Table 1 describes the panel of experts invited to participate. The two corresponding authors most cited in the systematic review9 were invited by email to participate. The occupant of the highest positions in the Malta Medicines Authority and Department of Health were asked to participate.…”

“…A recent systematic review of the published literature on medication wastage identified a limited evidence base of interventions to reduce wastage and few studies which included wastage as a primary outcome measure 9. Only two studies provided any definition or description of wastage: ‘medicines issued to the patient but not consumed’10 and ‘any drug product, either dispensed by a prescription or purchased over the counter that is never fully consumed.…”

Evaluation of the causes and cost impact of returned intravenous medications at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…Many studies have been conducted to address medications wastage issue [3,4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. However, the majority of these studies were carried out in outpatient setting [3,4,6,7,[9][10][11]13].…”

“…However, the majority of these studies were carried out in outpatient setting [3,4,6,7,[9][10][11]13]. Not much is documented on investigating the causes and cost impact of medications wastage in the inpatient setting [8,12].…”

Confidentiality, anonymity and amnesty for midwives in distress seeking online support – Ethical?

“…Examples of this include gun, drug and knife amnesties, where individuals can admit to an offence without any risk of reprisal [19][20][21] . In the context of health care, there have also been successful 'DUMP' (Disposal of Unwanted Medication Properly) campaigns, where unwanted medicines have been relinquished to pharmacies for safe disposal without the fear of judgement or retribution 22 . The benefits of these periods of amnesty are that those in need of help may take a unique window of opportunity to seek help, where they may not otherwise have done so.…”