A situational analysis On pharmaceutical Waste management in Nairobi county, Kenya
Abstract
Pharmaceutical waste (PW) includes pharmaceuticals that are no longer needed but it also
includes containers and other used items that may contain remnants of pharmaceutical
substances. Pharmaceutical waste management (PWM) is defined as all activities, both
administrative and operational, for handling PW. Poor PWM may be deleterious to both
human health and the environment. In the hospital set up, pharmaceutical waste is
managed as part of healthcare waste (HCW) in accordance with the existing guidelines.
Similar guidelines for PWM in community pharmacies are lacking.
The aim of this study was to describe the prevailing situation of PWM in Nairobi County,
Kenya. A total of 477 community pharmacies were listed through mapping in 26 out of 85
wards, selected through cluster sampling. A self administered structured questionnaire
was used for data collection among the selected participants. The response rate was 57%.
The respondents were categorized as either good or poor (adequate or inadequate)
according to their respective scores. Chi square was used to determine associations. Over
70% of respondents were adequately qualified to practice sound PWM. About 62% of
participating CPs had access to adequate disposal infrastructure. About 79% of the
respondents had adequate knowledge of PWM while 66% of pharmacies had ‘good
practice’. However, the proportion of CPs with poor PWM practice was significant (34%).
Knowledge of PWM was associated with manager qualification while practice was
associated with both access to infrastructure and knowledge of PWM.
The situation of PWM was therefore generally good but there was room for improvement.
It was recommended that the Pharmacy and Poisons enhances law enforcement to
eliminate unqualified practitioners. Enlightenment of CP managers on PWM through
continuous medical education (CME) was also recommended.
Publisher
University of Nairobi