Disposal of Residential Pharmaceutical Waste: An Initial Survey on Attitudes, Behaviors and Risk Perception in Portugal

Increasing concern has been given to pharmaceutical waste and their adequate disposal. Since the occurrence of pharmaceutical active substances has been detected in the environment, several changes in policy have been made worldwide, in order to provide adequate disposal practices. A number of waste collection programs have been developed. This study aimed to evaluate the recycling attitudes, behaviors and risk perception of Portuguese families towards pharmaceutical waste and respective packaging. A questionnaire survey was developed with 1206 pharmacy users interviewed in Portugal’s mainland. Initial findings and conclusions determined that different disposal options are given to leftovers and expired medicines, as well as to different forms of pharmaceuticals. Risk perception is higher for the environment than for health concerns. Disposal options were also found to be linked to environmental risk perception.