Quantifying Antimicrobial Disposals at Six Community Pharmacies With Longitudinal Medication Disposal Programs: An Underappreciated Component of a One Health Approach to Antimicrobial Stewardship - Summary - MDSpire

Quantifying Antimicrobial Disposals at Six Community Pharmacies With Longitudinal Medication Disposal Programs: An Underappreciated Component of a One Health Approach to Antimicrobial Stewardship

  • By

  • Elizabeth Hoskins

  • Elizabeth M Bickenbach

  • Margaret Buchanan

  • Steve Detter

  • Michael Ferguson

  • Ahunna Freeman

  • Ryan Hoskins

  • Aaron Johnston

  • Robbin Lee

  • Brian Marks

  • Brittany R Weger

  • Courtney L Bradley

  • Jordan R Smith

  • Travis J Carlson

  • October 10, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To educate community members about responsible medication disposal and to quantify unused, unwanted, and expired (UUE) medications returned to community pharmacies.

Key Findings:
  • 144,084 UUE prescription medication tablets/capsules disposed of, totaling approximately 19.3 kg of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), highlighting the need for effective disposal strategies.
  • Antimicrobials accounted for 2.6% of all disposed tablets/capsules and nearly 1.3 kg (6.6%) of APIs, underscoring their environmental impact.
  • Most disposed antibiotics included doxycycline, amoxicillin, clindamycin, cephalexin, and ciprofloxacin, which are critical in the context of antimicrobial resistance.
Interpretation:

The disposal of UUE antimicrobials is a critical component of a One Health approach to antimicrobial stewardship, potentially influencing antimicrobial resistance in the environment and public health.

Limitations:
  • Geographically limited study in central North Carolina may not represent broader trends, and low uptake of medication disposal programs among pharmacies in the region may skew results.
Conclusion:

Recognizing and expanding antimicrobial disposal efforts is essential for mitigating environmental contamination and addressing antimicrobial resistance, ultimately protecting public health.

Original Source(s)

Quantifying Antimicrobial Disposals at Six Community Pharmacies With Longitudinal Medication Disposal Programs: An Underappreciated Component of a One Health Approach to Antimicrobial Stewardship

  • by Elizabeth Hoskins, Elizabeth M Bickenbach, Margaret Buchanan, Steve Detter, Michael Ferguson, Ahunna Freeman, Ryan Hoskins, Aaron Johnston, Robbin Lee, Brian Marks, Brittany R Weger, Courtney L Bradley, Jordan R Smith, Travis J Carlson

  • October 10, 2025

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