ArticleFrontiers in pharmacology2026
Economic burden and patient-related determinants of medication waste in Saudi Arabia: evaluating re-dispensing initiatives for resource optimization.
Article in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Introduction: Global medicine use rose 14% in 5 years, causing waste, financial loss, environmental damage, and limited access to therapies. Re-dispensing unused medications is possible, subject to legal and safety restrictions. Objective: To estimate the economic cost of medication waste, characterize patient-related determinants associated with waste, and assess the potential for re-dispensing based on the quality of the returned medications. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024. Unused medications were collected and categorized by use status, dosage form, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) system, and market value. Patient demographics and disposal practices were recorded via structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 206 patients returned 2,633 medications, which were primarily unused (64.98%) and in solid dosage forms (80.59%). Participants were predominantly female (59.22%) and aged 20-29 years (54.37%). Over-prescription was the leading cause of waste (70.87%). While 83.50% of participants possessed excess medications, 62.14% had never returned them previously, and 64.08% had disposed of them in the trash. The most frequent therapeutic classes were the alimentary tract and metabolism (31.41%), cardiovascular (14.93%), and nervous system (11.51%). Anti-neoplastic agents contributed the highest cost at 57,979.30 SAR (15,461.15 United States Dollars), despite representing only 0.38% of items. The total economic value of returned medications was 220,272.97 SAR (58,739.46 USD). Conclusion: Medication waste represents a substantial economic burden and carries significant potential implications for environmental sustainability. While the high quality of returned products reveals a clear opportunity for recovery through re-dispensing, successful implementation will depend on robust legislative support and further economic evaluation. Ultimately, a combination of strategic interventions, such as shorter first fills and structured return programs, is essential to effectively mitigate waste.
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