FROM DISPENSING TO DISPOSAL OF MEDICINES: ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF ORIENTATION OF PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN THE PHARMACIES

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze how primary healthcare professionals provide guidance to users regarding the proper use, correct storage at home, and disposal of medications. This was a descriptive and exploratory field research with a qualitative approach. Ten pharmacy professionals participated in this study through individual interviews using a semi-structured script. The data obtained were analyzed based on Bardin's content analysis. The research found that professionals consider access to medication an essential part of their work, as well as the importance of treatment adherence; however, they face challenges in providing in-depth guidance regarding the entire medication cycle. Although the interviewees view medications as pollutants and are aware of the correct ways to dispose of leftover medications from households, they do not prioritize information about proper disposal during the act of providing care and delivering medications to the population. Considering this, there is a clear need to promote adequate guidance to the population on the correct and environmentally appropriate disposal of leftover medications, to mitigate the consequences of pharmaceutical substances in the environment.
Keywords: Medicines, Environment, Public health.