지역 약국으로 회수된 폐의약품의 종류와 약가 분석

• Published in: Yaghag-hoi-ji Vol. 63; no. 3; pp. 144 - 151
• Main Authors: 김민영(Minyoung Kim), 최현규(Hyun-Gyu Choi), 모연화(Yeonhwa Mo)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: The Pharmaceutical Society Of Korea 30.06.2019; 대한약학회
• Subjects: 약학; unused medication; medication take-back program; medication cost; expired medication; medication disposal
• ISSN: 0377-9556; 2383-9457
• DOI: 10.17480/psk.2019.63.3.144

Unused and expired medications (UEM) are increasing over time, and economic impact of UEM cannot beoverlooked anymore. Health insurance finances are limited and this means generation of UEM is pharmaceutical andeconomical waste. Disposal cost of these also will be increasing. But until now there was no research data to determinethe economic loss due to UEM in terms of cost in the Republic of Korea. This study attempted to calculate the cost ofthe UEM and estimate the degree of economic waste. And tried to discuss what the pharmacist could do to reduce thegeneration of the UEM. The UEM collection period was 3 months, from August to October 2016. A total of 10pharmacies of nationwide joined this study. Each collected UEM was separated by kind, generic name, therapeutic group,medicinal product classification (prescription or non-prescription medicine, health functional foods, etc.), dosage form, routeof administration, quantity, and finally their prices were calculated. The highest portion of drug groups was prescriptionmedicines, which made up 89.4%. The average cost for one customer who brought UEM was calculated as 64,961 wonfor 11 items and 243 pills. In terms of the cost ratio, the prescription medicines were the highest at 90.6%. Gastrointestinalmedicines were disposed of the most among the therapeutic groups; they were highest among all number of items, pillsand costs. This study has significance in that it is the first study measuring and calculating the practical quantity and costof UEM in Republic of Korea. Based on these results, it is time to consider ways to curb the generation of UEM,including pharmacist intervention. KCI Citation Count: 0