PharmaBag: a sustainable packaging system to reduce pharmaceutical waste and support a net-zero NHS
Patients receiving oral anti-cancer medicines
Consenting participants will receive their prescribed OACM in its standard manufacturer packaging, but contained within the PharmaBag over-packing system. They will receive written instructions outlining how to store and handle the medication, how to preserve the integrity of the PharmaBag, and how to return any unused medication. This information will also be discussed during the recruitment and consent process, either in person or via telephone. Participants will be advised to return any unused OACMs by bringing the PharmaBag to their next scheduled clinical visit, or via the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre's pre-existing, risk-assessed home medication collection and delivery service. No additional hospital visits will be required so as not to inconvenience the participant. Three weeks after receiving their first PharmaBag packaged medication, participants will complete a digital questionnaire via email, a paper questionnaire supplied with their medications if requested, or a telephonic questionnaire administered by the pharmacy technician or research delivery team. The questionnaire has been developed with input from patients and clinicians and includes structured items addressing ease of use, confidence in returning medications, satisfaction with packaging, and any perceived barriers, as well as questions designed to assess whether the intervention has improved knowledge or awareness about safe medication storage at home. The PharmaBag intervention does not alter clinical care or prescribing; all medications will continue to be dispensed according to the participant’s usual treatment plan. The additional packaging will enable quality assurance checks to support information on the reusability of returned medications. Following these checks and data recording, the medicines will be disposed of using normal pharmacy disposal procedures.
1. Adults aged ≥18 years 2. Diagnosis of cancer 3. Prescribed oral anti-cancer medicines (OACMs) by clinicians at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre 4. Able to provide informed consent
Severe co-morbidities considered by the study team to interfere with the individual's ability to complete requirements of the study, or to provide informed consent.