From excretion to ecology: The strategic imperative of eco-pharmacovigilance

As the widespread presence of active pharmaceutical compounds in the environment poses a growing threat to ecosystems worldwide, understanding & mitigating medicinal pollution has become crucial. Drugs in active form pose a serious threat to the environment as they enter the ecosystem through different channels. Some high-profile examples are the toxicity of Diclofenac that results in death of vultures from feeding on dead livestock due to consumption of Diclofenac, Ethinyl estradiol that causes feminization of males in fish species, progesterone that leads to amphibian infertility, Ivermectin that affects dung beetles’ development process, and fluoxetine that affects shrimp behavior in addition to promoting microorganisms’ resistance. In order to minimize this threat, the adoption of some measures such as reduction in pharmaceutical waste production, updating of wastewater management systems, green pharmacy initiatives, and proper pharmaceuticals disposal is imperative. Moreover, some regulations, including ERA, RCRA, and risk mitigation measures, are important.