. 2017 Dec 7;10:38. doi: 10.1186/s40545-017-0126-6

Table 2.

Variables to be included in RUM audit and post-audit analyses

Characteristics of RUM bins	Source of container (state or territory)
	Container weight
	Percentage filled
Content of RUM bins	Medicine characteristics
	Brand name
	Generic name
	Manufacturer
	Medicine schedule (i.e. unscheduled, S2, S3, S4 or S8)
	Therapeutic category (PBS code)
	Medicine dose
	Form of medicine
	Whether medicine is PBS subsidised or private
	Whether medicine is expired
	Packaging of medicine included
	Evidence of attempted destruction for S8 medicines
	Presence of inappropriate items (e.g. sharps, rubbish)
	Complementary and alternative medicines
	Medicine in a sample package
	Medicines characteristics once dispensed
	Year dispensed^a
	Quantity dispensed^a
	Quantity returned^a
	Evidence of medicine use^a
	Proportion of dispensed quantity unused^{a, b}
	Medicine unlabelled
	Category of medicine dispensing (e.g. concession or general)^a
	Dose administration aids (DAA)
	Type of DAA
	Proportion of medicines unused in DAA

PBS = Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; S2 = Pharmacy medicine; S3 = Pharmacist-only-medicine; S4 = Prescription medicine; S8 = Controlled medicine

^a These variables extend the evidence base of data collected during the 2013 audit

^b Only medicines packaged as foil strips/blisters will be counted and assumptions used in the New Zealand DUMP project audit [22] will be applied to documentation of quantity of returned inhalers, creams, liquids