- The World Health Organization expresses concerns over antibiotic manufacturing.
Global health organization, the World Health Organization (WHO), voiced worries over antibiotic production in various nations and rolled out its inaugural guidelines for their safe production.
In pharmaceutical plants, overproduction of active ingredients often leads to excessive antibiotic waste, potentially contaminating the environment and boosting the proliferation of bacteria resistant to antibiotics, WHO explained. These superbugs can pose significant threats when they infect humans and cause hard-to-treat infections.
Antibiotic resistance can also emerge due to excessive antibiotic use or prematurely terminating treatment cycles, WHO noted.
These guidelines are aimed at pharmaceutical manufacturers, who are urged to closely monitor their wastewater and adhere to these standards, according to WHO wastewater expert Kate Medlicott. Regulatory authorities should also enforce stricter environmental standards for pharmaceutical production than previously.
Transparency is also highly recommended by the WHO to let investors, buyers, and potential patients recognize environmental protection measures implemented by pharmaceutical companies.
Furthermore, the WHO encourages patients to proper dispose of leftover tablets. "Medication remnants should not be disposed of in the toilet or sink/drain," as per the German Federal Ministry of the Environment. Many places accommodate old drug disposal via residual waste bins. Some pharmacies also offer take-back services for unused medications, ensuring proper disposal.
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted that improper disposal of antibiotics by patients can contribute to antibiotic resistance. WHO advises against disposing of medication remnants in the toilet or sink, recommending alternative methods such as residual waste bins or pharmacy-offered take-back services.
