![medicijnen](/sites/default/files/styles/content_full/public/2018-11/medicijnen.jpg?itok=xWYn3XD7)
We can all help to reduce pollution of the environment by pharmaceutical residues. For instance, producers could make environmental information on their products publicly available, physicians could prescribe less or different drugs, and patients may return unused or expired medicines to the pharmacy.
During medicine production and after use of medicines, residues
find their way to the environment. RIVM
has described the medicinal product chain and determined possible
reduction measures. The findings will be presented at the symposium
of “No Pills in the environment”, an
international partnership of research institutes and water boards,
with the aim to reduce the pollution of water by pharmaceutical
residues.
These results will be used to formulate an agreement between
(amongst others) the Dutch national government, the pharmaceutical
industry and water management authorities. Further research
is needed to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of different
measures.
Surface water, groundwater and soil
Pharmaceutical residues are mainly found in surface waters, but
they are also present in groundwater and in soil. Even in drinking
water these compounds can be measured. As the concentrations in
drinking water are very low, effects on public health are not to be
expected. However, harmful effects of pharmaceuticals in the
environment on ecosystems have been reported
The presence of pharmaceuticals in water results in societal costs:
costs for monitoring and purification. RIVM’s knowledge supports
the whole chain from prevention to purification of water, in order
to save costs and to reduce risks. This autumn RIVM
will publish a multidisciplinary survey of possible measures in the
medicinal product chain, based on both behavioural science and
environmental science.