Table 1 Analysis of the total data set and the sub-groups of packs without and with contents
From: Medicines discarded in household garbage: analysis of a pharmaceutical waste sample in Vienna
Packs | Total (n,% a) | Packs without contents (n,% a) | Packs with contents (n,% a) |
|---|---|---|---|
Total | 152 (100%) | 130 (100%) | 22 (100%) |
Sub-group related to the prescription status (n = 152) | |||
POM | 113 (74.3%) | 99 (76.2%) | 14 (63.6%) |
OTC | 39 (25.6%) | 31 (23.8%) | 8 (36.3%) |
Sub-group related to the country of origin of the pack (n = 152) | |||
Austria | 139 (91.5%) | 118 (90.8%) | 21 (95.5%) |
Germany | 6 (4.0%) | 6 (4.6%) | 0 (0%) |
France | 1 (0.7%) | 1 (0.8%) | 0 (0%) |
Greece | 1 (0.7%) | 1 (0.8%) | 0 (0%) |
China | 1 (0.7%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (0.8%) |
Not attributable | 4 (2.6%) | 4 (3.1%) | 0 (0%) |
Sub-group related to the therapeutic group (n = 152) | |||
A: Alimentary tract and metabolism | 15 (9.9%) | 14 (10.8%) | 1 (4.6%) |
B: Blood and blood forming organs | 4 (2.6%) | 4 (3.1%) | 0 (0%) |
C: Cardiovascular system | 36 (23.7%) | 31 (23.9%) | 5 (22.7%) |
D: Dermatologicals | 2 (1.3%) | 2 (1.5%) | 0 (0%) |
G: Genito urinary system and sex hormones | 2 (1.3%) | 2 (1.5%) | 0 (0%) |
J: Anti-infectives for systemic use | 5 (3.3%) | 4 (3.1%) | 1 (4.5%) |
M: Musculo-skeletal syst. | 17 (11.2%) | 13 (10.0%) | 4 (18.2%) |
N: Nervous system | 16 (10.5%) | 15 (11.5%) | 1 (4.5%) |
R: Respiratory system | 10 (6.6%) | 6 (4.6%) | 4 (18.2%) |
Other ATC code or not attributable | 45 (29.6) | 39 (30.0%) | 6 (27.2%) |
Sub-group related to the dose form (n = 152) | |||
Oral | 132 (86.8%) | 119 (91.5%) | 13 (59.1%) |
Parental | 6 (4.0%) | 5 (3.8%) | 1 (4.6%) |
Nasal | 1 (0.7%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (4.6%) |
Pulmonary | 1 (0.7%) | 1 (0.8%) | 0 (0%) |
Dermal | 10 (6.7%) | 5 (3.7%) | 5 (22.7%) |
Eye | 1 (0.7%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (4.6%) |
Dental | 1 (0.7%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (4.6%) |
Sub-group related to the expiry status and expiry dates (n = 136) b | |||
Expiry status | |||
Expired | 7 (5.2%) | 3 (2.6%) | 4 (19.0%) |
Non expired | 129 (94.8%) | 112 (97.5%) | 17 (81.0%) |
Expiry dates | |||
1999 | 1 (0.7%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (4.8%) |
2002 | 1 (0.7%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (4.8%) |
2007 | 1 (0.7%) | 1 (0.9%) | 0 (0%) |
2008 | 1 (0.7%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (4.8%) |
1/2009 – 9/2009c | 3 (2.2%) | 2 (1.7%) | 1 (4.8%) |
12/2009c | 1 (0.7%) | 0 (0.9%) | 1 (0%) |
2010 | 21 (15.4%) | 18 (15.7%) | 3 (14.3%) |
2011 | 31 (22.8%) | 26 (22.6%) | 5 (23.8%) |
2012 | 43 (31.6%) | 37 (32.2%) | 6 (28.6%) |
2013 | 24 17.6%) | 21 (18.3%) | 3 (14.3%) |
2014 | 9 (6.6%) | 9 (7.8%) | 0 (0%) |