Insights into community pharmacists' behavioural intention towards providing safe medication disposal service using...

Household pharmaceutical waste disposal in Malaysia is inadequate, largely due to limited awareness and a lack of safe disposal facilities. Community pharmacies are not legally required to collect unused or expired medications and face various challenges in offering disposal services. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the factors influencing community pharmacists' intention to provide safe medication disposal.

This study aims to identify the attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control affecting Malaysian community pharmacists' intention to provide medication take-back service and to identify the predictors of this intention.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a stratified random sample of 424 community pharmacists in the Klang Valley. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) served as the theoretical framework, with constructs measured using a 4-point Likert scale. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse how TPB constructs and external factors influence pharmacists' intention.

Of the 424 surveys, 310 responses were received (response rate: 73.1 %). The PLS-SEM model explained 66 % of the variance in pharmacists' intention (R² = 0.662, adjusted R² = 0.656). While attitude was not a significant predictor, subjective norm e.g. patient demand and external factors e.g. business competitiveness were significant positive predictors. Conversely, perceived behavioural control factors, including workload, costs, space and authority negatively impacted intention.

This study identifies key constructs influencing community pharmacists' intention to offer medication take-back service. A multifaceted approach involving clear regulatory frameworks, government support and pharmaceutical industry participation, and public education is necessary to enhance this intention.