Public Knowledge and Attitude of Caregivers Regarding Leftover Medications for Children under 6 Years of Age in Japan: A Descriptive Study on a Nationwide Exploratory Questionnaire Survey to Caregivers

Abstract

Leftover medications are a global concern for harm to health and inadequate medical care costs. However, information on leftover medicines and their inappropriate use in children in Japan is lacking. We aimed to clarify the proportion of leftover and re-use of children’s medications in Japan. We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey using eight web-based domains, which covered parents’ demographics, children’s demographics, actual practices in handling about leftover (1) acute medication, (2) chronic medication, (3) short-term medicine, (4) antibiotic, and (5) topical medication, and attitudes towards leftover medicine. The questionnaire comprised 40 questions. We obtained responses from 3046 caregivers with children aged under 6 years before elementary school. Among these participants, 95% (2674/2809), 57% (147/256), and 69% (1687/2457) had experience with leftover acute medication use, medication for chronic disease, and short-term medication use, respectively. Instances of leftover antibiotics being given to the child’s brother/sister, parents, and child’s friends were 8.7, 7.9, and 3.2%, respectively. This trend was similar to other medication categories. In conclusion, most caregivers have experienced leftover medications; however, managing leftover medications depends on their beliefs and is influenced by inadequate knowledge about medications. Most of these cases lead to inadequate use of medications in children. Medical staff, especially pharmacists, need to educate and instruct caregivers on the appropriate use of children’s medications.