Renuka Herath

Introduction: Pharmaceutical pollutants, such as antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), have been detected in Sri Lankan waterways. These contaminants may arise from multiple sources, including community pharmacy disposal practices. This raises concerns that improper disposal of unwanted medicines poses an increasing risk to the environment and public health. Community pharmacies—both chain and independent pharmacies—serve as the final point in the pharmaceutical supply chain at the community level and play a crucial role in managing the disposal of unwanted medicines. This study aimed to explore the current practices, factors influencing these practices, and strategies for improving the management and safe disposal of unwanted medicines in community pharmacies in Sri Lanka. Methods: A qualitative research design was adopted. Semi-structured interviews using the validated interview guide were conducted with the participants. The participants primarily comprised the community pharmacists representing both chain and independent pharmacies operating in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was achieved. Using the thematic analysis, emerging reporting patterns within the data were identified. Results: The study identified four main themes: current disposal and waste management practices; factors influencing and limiting disposal practices; perceptions and attitudes toward disposal responsibility; and recommendations for improvement. Community pharmacies use various methods for medicine disposal and pharmaceutical waste management. Their practices are primarily influenced by the absence of proper medicine collection mechanisms, weak regulation, limited awareness, and inadequate disposal facilities. Pharmacists suggested implementing a well-structured medicine collection system, strengthening laws, and conducting awareness programs to minimize pharmaceutical waste. Discussion: Although a regulatory framework exists for pharmaceutical waste management, implementation and monitoring within community pharmacies, particularly independent pharmacies, remain limited. Furthermore, these pharmacies have fewer facilities to carry out safe drug disposal practices. Research revealed the need for improved infrastructure, tighter regulatory supervision, and increased awareness programs to address these challenges. Implementing a well-coordinated national medicine collection program and improving awareness of safe medicine disposal are important measures for protecting the environment and public health.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are promoted to decarbonise road transport, yet uptake remains slow in many emerging markets. This study examines consumer resistance to EV adoption in Sri Lanka by modelling status quo bias (SQB) using a Prospect Theory lens. An online survey of urban vehicle owners and near-term buyers yielded 157 responses; after screening and removing influential outliers, 151 cases were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The model tests five Prospect Theory-aligned antecedents, namely, loss aversion, reference dependence, risk perception, framing effects, and uncertainty aversion, and evaluates environmental concern as a moderator. Results indicate that loss aversion has a significant positive effect on SQB (β = 0.216, p = 0.005) and uncertainty aversion is the strongest predictor (β = 0.453, p < 0.001), while reference dependence, risk perception, and framing effects show positive but statistically non-significant direct effects. Moderation tests show that environmental concern significantly moderates the effects of reference dependence (β = 0.181, p = 0.039) and framing effects (β = 0.179, p = 0.037) on SQB, but does not significantly moderate the loss aversion, risk perception, or uncertainty aversion paths. Overall, perceived losses and—especially—ambiguity surrounding EV ownership appear to sustain reliance on internal combustion vehicles in this developing-country context, underscoring the need for interventions that reduce uncertainty (credible infrastructure signals, stable policy, service capability) and mitigate perceived losses (warranties, resale assurances) alongside carefully framed communications.