Fostering environmentally sustainable use of medicinal products thus reducing indirect risks to human. This is the aim of the Report  drafted by the “Ad hoc working group on pharmaceuticals in the environment” which collects national “best practices” and proposes recommendations, to be considered for implementation by Member States.

The Report – presented at the European Commission Pharmaceutical Committee – covers the following aspects: encouraging the prudent use of medicinal products with focus on antimicrobials to prevent the development of resistant microorganisms, and on endocrine active substances; introducing courses on the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals into university degree courses; strategies to i) reduce waste generated by the use of medicinal products (including packaging and shelf life issues), ii) collect unused but still valid medicines, and iii) ensure proper disposal; effective communication on the consequences of Pharmaceutical pollution footprint; strengthening environmental risk assessment at the time of marketing authorization.

Although the Report does not reflect the official position of the European Commission and has not been shared with various stakeholders, it represents a starting point to encourage a general reflection and discussion on issues that are currently only partially regulated by harmonized legislation within the European Union. It is therefore a particularly relevant contribution in light of the ongoing revision of EU pharmaceutical legislation , aimed at ensuring access to high-quality, safe, and effective medicines, and at supporting the pharmaceutical industry's efforts in the field of innovation.

The working group, composed of experts designated by 13 Member States (including Italy), along with representatives of the European Medicines Agency and the European Commission, was established in 2020 as part of the European Union Strategic Approach to Pharmaceuticals in the Environment , with the aim of providing guidance to Member States to reduce the environmental impact of medicinal products for human use.