PHARMACY

Background: Improper disposal of unused and expired medications poses public health and
environmental risks. Medications discarded in household waste or flushed into water systems
contribute to pollution, antimicrobial resistance, and accidental poisonings. This study assesses
awareness and disposal practices among patients at the Consultant Outpatient Department
(COPD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Objectives: To evaluate patients’ awareness of proper medication disposal, identify common
disposal practices, and assess associated environmental and public health risks.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire
administered to 270 UBTH COPD outpatients. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27,
with descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Among respondents, 185 (68.5%) had unused or expired medications. The majority,
229 (84.8%) disposed of them in household waste bins, while only 8 (3.0%) used take-back
programs. Additionally, 25 (9.3%) flushed medications down the toilet. Although 216 (80.0%)
recognized the risk of accidental ingestion and 172 (63.7%) linked improper disposal to
antimicrobial resistance, only 53 (19.6%) had received proper medicine disposal education. A
significant relationship existed between educational background and awareness (p < 0.05), but
awareness did not always translate to safe practices.
Conclusion: A gap exists between awareness and safe disposal practices. Unsafe disposal
remains prevalent, highlighting the need for public awareness campaigns, regulatory
enforcement, and accessible take-back programs.

In folk medicine, Emilia coccinea, is used to treat microbial infections and wounds. Thus the
aim of this study was to Investigate the Antifungal Activity of the n-hexane fraction of Emilia
coccinea (Sims) G. Don. The Assessment of the n-hexane fraction of Emilia coccinea whole
plant was investigated in order to verify its claimed folkloric usage in treatment of microbial
infections. Sensitivity tests for anti-fungi activities of the whole plant n-hexane fraction were
determined using Agar well diffusion method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs)
of fractions were also determined using Agar dilution. Commercial antifungal agent
(Ketoconazole) were used as positive reference standard to determine sensitivity of tested
organisms. The test organisms (Candidia albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Rhodotorula
glutinis) were found to be sensitive to the n-hexane fraction while no sensitive on Aspergillus
fumigatus, and Microsporum audounii. The n-hexane fraction recorded highest mean
inhibition diameter of 15.50±1.06 mm against Candidia albican. The results demonstrate that
the n-hexane fraction of E. coccinea plants has antifungal activity and can be a potential
source of antifungal agents. Thus, the folkloric usage of this plant for the treatment of
microbial diseases is justified.