Reasons why medicines are returned to Swedish pharmacies unused

Objective: To identify the reasons and their relative importance why medicines are returned to Swedish pharmacies unused. Setting: A random sample of the pharmacies in Sweden. Method: Interviews using a semi-structered interview form with pharmacy customers returning unused medicines to the pharmacy. Main outcome measure: Reasons given by patients/ relatives/carers for returning unused medicines to the pharmacy. Results: The four main reasons for returning unused medicines to the pharmacy were: (1) the medicines were too old, (2) the user had died, (3) there was no need for the medicine anymore, and (4) therapy changes. These reasons made up 75% of all reported reasons. Conclusion: Hoarding or over-supply of prescribed medicines may explain a large part of the volume of medicines that remain unused. Actions aiming to reduce waste of prescribed medicines ought to focus on those patients who contribute to a substantial part of all unused medicines.