166KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS DISPOSAL OF UNUSED & EXPIRED MEDICATIONS AMONG RESIDENT DOCTORS IN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITALTo study the knowledge, attitude and practice of safe disposal of unused/expired medicines among resident doctors. Background: Medicines play a significant role for treating many diseases and conditions, but at the end of the treatment it is very important to dispose them of properly. The knowledge and awareness of proper drug disposal are essential for safe environment and to minimise various problems like environmental pollution and various health hazards. Methods: This was the questionnaire-based study conducted among the resident doctors. Sample size calculated was 110 by open Epi software. A self-structured questionnaire was validated and distributed. Collected data was analysed using Sigma Graph pad prism version-5 and Microsoft Excel 2007.Results: Out of 110 doctors to whom questionnaire was distributed; the response rate of 59.09% was obtained; of these 39(60%) were male & 26 (40%) female. 98% participants checked expiry dates. 68% knew the term ecopharmacovigilance.76.56% believed that drug became toxic & lost its therapeutic effect after expiry date .Common drugs leftover were antibiotics (60.93%) & analgesics (62.5%) which were mostly in tablet form (84.38%).The major reason for having unused drugs was leftovers from previous OTC drugs (46.87%).Most practiced method of disposal was throwing in dustbin (70.13%). Majority felt that they were unaware of consequences of improper drug disposal & the best place to teach it was at pharmacy while dispensing drugs (60.93%).Conclusion: There are lacunae in the knowledge & practice about proper disposal of unused and expired drugs. Awareness about proper disposal of unused medicines among the resident doctors should be created.microbiopharma116@gmail.comResearch1012020Ecosystem, Expiry date,Antibiotic resistanceDr.Gadappa M S,Dr.Tamboli S B,Shri Balaji DolePost Graduate student, Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, vishnupuri, Nanded .Maharashtra, India,Dr.Tamboli S B,Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, vishnupuri, Nanded .Maharashtra, India,Planning Officer, Planning department, Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, vishnupuri, Nanded .Maharashtra, India