Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

This report brings together results of previous and on-going EU projects with published data from both governmental sources and scientific literature and manufacturers data on production and usage of pharmaceuticals.

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About 4000 medical compounds are being used in the drugs applied today. It is estimated that worldwide consumption of active compounds amounts to some 100,000 tons or more per year. Consequently, there is a need to highlight the most important questions and issues related to presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment. 


Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: current knowledge and need assessment to reduce presence and impact brings together results of previous and on-going EU projects with published data from both governmental sources and scientific literature and manufacturers’ data on production and usage of pharmaceuticals. This book puts together the current knowledge and emphasises questions that deserve attention such as: What is the spectrum of most relevant pharmaceutical products (PPs) for the aquatic environment? Which indicators for supporting environmental managers, health authorities? What is the efficiency of urban and industrial sewage treatment plants over a year? What is the fate and behaviour of PPs in sewage treatment plants? If receiving waters are used for potable water supplies, does the presence of these compounds represent a potential hazard to human health? Could we solve some problems by environmental or cleaner technologies? What regulatory approaches, incentives, prevention actions can be implemented in order to lower PPs concentration in the environment? Does a European practical guidance can be developed? Can the impacts of PPs on the environment be reduced through the use of eco-pharmaco-stewardship approaches including the use of clean synthesis, classification and labelling, and better communication of methods of 'good practice'? How can we better monitor the environmental impact of a pharmaceutical once it has received a marketing authorisation?