Pharmaceutical Pollution - DTE - 10/12/22

Context:
According to a research paper, Pharmaceutical Pollution is an overlooked but urgent issue that needs coordinated action from across the pharmaceutical, healthcare and environmental sectors.
Almost half, or 43% of the world’s rivers are contaminated with active pharmaceutical ingredients in concentrations that can have disastrous ramifications on health.
Relevance:
GS3 - Env. Pollution
About:
-Pharmaceutical plants are often incapable of filtering out all the chemical compounds used in their manufacturing process and as such, the chemicals will seep into the surrounding freshwater systems and eventually into the oceans, lakes, streams, and rivers.
-Wastewater from pharmaceutical manufacturers is also sometimes discharged into open fields and nearby water bodies, thereby increasing the pharmaceutical waste or their by-product load in the environment, landfills, or dumping areas. All this is basically known as pharmaceutical pollution.

Effects:
1.Effects on Fish and Aquatic Life
2.Disruption of Sewage Treatment Process
3.Effect on Drinking Water
4.Long-term Effects on the Environment

Solutions:
1.Investment in public education on the proper disposal of drugs
2.Tougher Regulations
3.Additional research
4.Limiting bulk purchases
5.Proper trashing must be preferred over flushing

Status of Pharmaceutical Pollution in India:
-World’s Third-Largest Producer
-Bulk Drug Capital of India
-Multi-Drug Resistance Infections