REVERSE LOGISTIC DISPOSAL PRACTICES OF HOUSEHOLD PHARMACEUTICAL MEDICINES AND ITS IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT IN TRICHY, TAMILNADU, INDIA

Abstract

Reverse logistics refers to managing a supply chain in reverse direction from the consumers to the manufacturers. Reverse logistics is the part of supply chain management practice that flow of products and information from the customers to the manufacturers for the purpose of value recreate and proper disposal. To explore the knowledge, attitude, beliefs about drug wastage and methods adopted by customers to dispose unused medicines at home. Storing numerous medicines in the home or throwing excess medicines in the trash without first securing them can lead to misuse. This study reviewed various published journals and identified various disposal practices to build a conceptual model for disposal practices of household medicines. By extending that research, a specific study that carried out in Tiruchirappalli district in Tamilnadu state. A total of 300 customers were participated in this study from various medical stores. Questionnaire was aimed to examine the disposal practices of pharmaceutical medicines and its implication on environment. Collected data was analyzed by using SPSS. The main objective of this study is to estimate the quantum of medicines disposed by customers and its impact on environment.