Understanding healthcare professionals’ Experiences with expired and unused medication disposal and take-back initiatives: A pilot study in Sharjah, UAE

• This study identified a significant lack of education on safe drug disposal among medical staff during medical school, workplace training, and continuing professional development. • Findings support the need for a government-initiated national drug take-back program with widespread and accessible collection points. • Raising awareness on safe drug disposal should target all healthcare professionals, not just pharmacists, emphasizing teamwork in healthcare practice. • Utilizing media, particularly social media platforms, is essential to promote public and professional awareness of the environmental impact of improper drug disposal. • Implementing these strategies collectively can minimize improper drug disposal practices, ensuring a safer environment for current and future generations. Improper disposal of medications poses significant public health and environmental risks, contributing to drug misuse, accidental poisoning, and environmental contamination. This study aims to evaluate healthcare professionals’ knowledge, experiences, and perspectives regarding the disposal of expired and unused medications, as well as their views on medication take-back programs. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design targeting healthcare professional in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. A total of 100 participants were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Data collection was conducted through an online questionnaire distributed via the Qualtrics® survey platform. The questionnaire consisted of 13 items designed to assess participants' knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on medication disposal and take-back programs. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 27. Among 100 healthcare professionals surveyed, 58 % were females. Only 37 % knew about medication take-back programs, and 32 % had received related education. While 88 % were interested in learning more, just 34 % routinely advised patients on proper disposal. Most participants (77 %) supported the idea of a web app to raise awareness, and 88 % expressed willingness to use such a tool. Healthcare professionals showed gaps in safe medication-disposal practices and limited access to structured take-back systems. Expanding education and providing clear disposal pathways are essential to improve safe and sustainable handling of pharmaceutical waste.