JUST 18% of Australians are aware of the National Return and Disposal of Unwanted Medicines (NatRUM) scheme, with most people simply putting unused drugs into their household rubbish.
That was one of the key findings of an audit of the NatRUM project conducted last year, with the results detailed by Professor Amanda Wheeler from Griffith University during APP this month.
Wheeler and her team surveyed 4,302 Australians online about their awareness of the NatRUM scheme, how medicines should be disposed of and what concerns them most about storage and disposal of drugs.
Despite the general low level of knowledge of the program, 92% of respondents said they would use the system now that they know about it - but there were also misconceptions about what happens to the drugs disposed of, with some thinking pharmacists could claim money back from the manufacturer.
Wheeler said a consumer media campaign along with pharmacy reminders with their prescription medicine packs could be effective ways to promote safe disposal.
Other key findings from the study were that items disposed of in RUM bins at community pharmacies were mostly PBS listed medicines.
The estimation of PBS waste - including all dispensed and unopened medicines, irrespective of expiry date, was about $11.6 million collected annually.
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