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The steady ageing of Europe’s population will result in an increased consumption of medicines, which will consequently lead to higher concentrations of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment and pose potential threats to public health, a new study has warned.
However, the European Commission is already behind schedule on planned actions on the issue.
A study by Civity Management Consultants, commissioned by the German association of energy and water industries (BDEW), predicted that consumption of medicines in Germany will rise by 70% in the next 30 years.
Moreover, a 2013 European Commission study pointed out there was a “substantial margin of safety” before current levels of concentration of pharmaceuticals could trigger adverse effects to human health.
Pharmaceuticals are an issue that is part of the revision of the Directive ongoing – but work had not been concluded and thus we cannot say more at this stage,” EU sources explained.
The German Association of Energy and Water Industries calls for a holistic approach involving all actors in the pharmaceutical chain- starting with drug companies.
Producers should increase the biodegradability of drugs and replace or reduce environmentally damaging components, as well as inform consumers of drugs’ environmental impacts on the boxes.