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Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
Published on: December 11, 2016
Returned medicines: waste or a wasted opportunity?
Adam J Mackridge1, John F Marriott
1Pharmacy Practice Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK. a.mackridge@ljmu.ac.uk
Journal of Public Health (Oxford, England)
|June 21, 2007
Summary
Many unused medicines returned by patients are suitable for re-use, presenting a valuable resource. Reconsidering medicine re-use policies could benefit both developing countries and the UK.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Public Health
- Pharmaceutical Policy
Background:
- Current UK policy prohibits the re-use of returned medicines, leading to their destruction.
- Previous research indicates a significant proportion of returned medicines remain suitable for re-use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the quantity, type, and suitability for re-use of medicines returned to community pharmacies and GP surgeries.
- To evaluate the financial value and potential for re-use of these returned medicines.
Main Methods:
- A two-month audit of returned medicines from participating pharmacies and GP surgeries in Eastern Birmingham PCT.
- Assessment of returned medicine packs by a registered pharmacist against predefined suitability criteria.
Main Results:
- Over 3765 medicine items worth £33,608 were returned.
- Cardiovascular and Central Nervous System (CNS) drugs were the most common returns.
- One-quarter of returned medicine packs (1248/4291) were suitable for re-use, with many containing essential medications.
Conclusions:
- Substantial quantities of unused medicines with significant financial value are returned.
- A considerable portion of these returned medicines are suitable for re-use.
- The study supports reopening the debate on medicine re-use, particularly for resource-limited settings and within the UK.
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