Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education

Lee, Jia Jia; Yeap, Li Ling; Mohammed, Ali Haider; Yap, Chuan Sheng; Rasool, Bassam Abdul; Al-Dujaili, Juman; Saw, Pui San; Blebil, Ali

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0343961

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Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education

Jia Jia Lee, Li Ling Yeap, Ali Haider Mohammed, Chuan Sheng Yap, Bassam Abdul Rasool Hassan, Juman Al-Dujaili

, Pui San Saw, Ali Blebil

PLOS One, Volume: 21, Issue: 4, Start page: e0343961

Swansea University Authors: Juman Al-Dujaili , Ali Blebil

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DOI (Published version): 10.1371/journal.pone.0343961

Abstract

Introduction: Safe medication disposal is crucial for public health and environmental sustainability, yet public awareness remains limited. While educational campaigns exist, pharmacy students can serve as key advocates in promoting proper disposal practices. This study integrates experiential learn...

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Published in:	PLOS One
ISSN:	1932-6203
Published:	Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2026
Online Access:	Check full text
URI:	https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71862

first_indexed	2026-05-07T16:01:52Z
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While educational campaigns exist, pharmacy students can serve as key advocates in promoting proper disposal practices. This study integrates experiential learning and peer-led education to enhance students’ advocacy skills. Methods: A two-phase mixed-method approach was used. In Phase 1, 35 pharmacy student ambassadors underwent hands-on training at community pharmacies, actively participating in medication take-back programs. Their experiences were documented and analyzed thematically. In Phase 2, they conducted a peer-led workshop for 43 undergraduate pharmacy students. A pre- and post-test assessed knowledge improvement among workshop participants. Results: The thematic analysis identified five key themes: increased awareness, recognition of environmental and health risks, sense of responsibility, motivation for advocacy, and challenges in promoting safe disposal. Knowledge among workshop participants significantly improved, increasing from mean score 6.86 to 8.44 (Z = −4.827, p < 0.001), demonstrating the effectiveness of peer-led education. Conclusion: Experiential learning combined with peer-led education effectively strengthened pharmacy students’ knowledge and advocacy for safe medication disposal. Engaging students as educators not only enhanced their own competencies but also improved awareness among peers. 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spelling	2026-05-11T10:30:24.3216410 v2 71862 2026-05-07 Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education 47d192c8bb46dd4c0cc72bbfea4210ec 0000-0002-7515-5344 Juman Al-Dujaili Juman Al-Dujaili true false ae3f126adda1dec7b84f0a12698f0b7d 0000-0002-7480-1260 Ali Blebil Ali Blebil true false 2026-05-07 MEDS Introduction: Safe medication disposal is crucial for public health and environmental sustainability, yet public awareness remains limited. While educational campaigns exist, pharmacy students can serve as key advocates in promoting proper disposal practices. This study integrates experiential learning and peer-led education to enhance students’ advocacy skills. Methods: A two-phase mixed-method approach was used. In Phase 1, 35 pharmacy student ambassadors underwent hands-on training at community pharmacies, actively participating in medication take-back programs. Their experiences were documented and analyzed thematically. In Phase 2, they conducted a peer-led workshop for 43 undergraduate pharmacy students. A pre- and post-test assessed knowledge improvement among workshop participants. Results: The thematic analysis identified five key themes: increased awareness, recognition of environmental and health risks, sense of responsibility, motivation for advocacy, and challenges in promoting safe disposal. Knowledge among workshop participants significantly improved, increasing from mean score 6.86 to 8.44 (Z = −4.827, p < 0.001), demonstrating the effectiveness of peer-led education. Conclusion: Experiential learning combined with peer-led education effectively strengthened pharmacy students’ knowledge and advocacy for safe medication disposal. Engaging students as educators not only enhanced their own competencies but also improved awareness among peers. This approach empowers future pharmacists to advocate for responsible disposal practices within their communities. Journal Article PLOS One 21 4 e0343961 Public Library of Science (PLoS) 1932-6203 20 4 2026 2026-04-20 10.1371/journal.pone.0343961 COLLEGE NANME Medical School COLLEGE CODE MEDS Swansea University SU Library paid the OA fee (TA Institutional Deal) This study was funded by School of Pharmacy (Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Education Grant: SOP/SRG-CPPE/02/2023), Monash University Malaysia. 2026-05-11T10:30:24.3216410 2026-05-07T12:11:26.8952534 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Swansea University Medical School - Pharmacy Jia Jia Lee 1 Li Ling Yeap 2 Ali Haider Mohammed 3 Chuan Sheng Yap 4 Bassam Abdul Rasool Hassan 5 Juman Al-Dujaili 0000-0002-7515-5344 6 Pui San Saw 7 Ali Blebil 0000-0002-7480-1260 8 71862__36689__cf07624ecde04860881e878f886a4726.pdf 71862.VOR.pdf 2026-05-11T10:22:17.1287844 Output 1157310 application/pdf Version of Record true © 2026 Lee et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title	Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education
spellingShingle	Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education Juman Al-Dujaili Ali Blebil
title_short	Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education
title_full	Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education
title_fullStr	Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education
title_full_unstemmed	Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education
title_sort	Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education
author_id_str_mv	47d192c8bb46dd4c0cc72bbfea4210ec ae3f126adda1dec7b84f0a12698f0b7d
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author	Juman Al-Dujaili Ali Blebil
author2	Jia Jia Lee Li Ling Yeap Ali Haider Mohammed Chuan Sheng Yap Bassam Abdul Rasool Hassan Juman Al-Dujaili Pui San Saw Ali Blebil
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description	Introduction: Safe medication disposal is crucial for public health and environmental sustainability, yet public awareness remains limited. While educational campaigns exist, pharmacy students can serve as key advocates in promoting proper disposal practices. This study integrates experiential learning and peer-led education to enhance students’ advocacy skills. Methods: A two-phase mixed-method approach was used. In Phase 1, 35 pharmacy student ambassadors underwent hands-on training at community pharmacies, actively participating in medication take-back programs. Their experiences were documented and analyzed thematically. In Phase 2, they conducted a peer-led workshop for 43 undergraduate pharmacy students. A pre- and post-test assessed knowledge improvement among workshop participants. Results: The thematic analysis identified five key themes: increased awareness, recognition of environmental and health risks, sense of responsibility, motivation for advocacy, and challenges in promoting safe disposal. Knowledge among workshop participants significantly improved, increasing from mean score 6.86 to 8.44 (Z = −4.827, p < 0.001), demonstrating the effectiveness of peer-led education. Conclusion: Experiential learning combined with peer-led education effectively strengthened pharmacy students’ knowledge and advocacy for safe medication disposal. Engaging students as educators not only enhanced their own competencies but also improved awareness among peers. This approach empowers future pharmacists to advocate for responsible disposal practices within their communities.
published_date	2026-04-20T06:30:22Z
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Experiential learning to advocacy: A peer-led approach to safe medication disposal in pharmacy education

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