The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

The medicines we take to stay healthy are harming nature. Here’s what needs to change

  • Written by Lauren T. May, Senior Lecturer and Group Leader, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University

Evidence is mounting that modern medicines present a growing threat to ecosystems around the world. The chemicals humans ingest to stay healthy are harming fish and other animals.

Modern pharmaceuticals have revolutionised disease prevention and treatment. But after our bodies use medicines, they excrete them. Eventually, the chemicals can end up in rivers, oceans and soils.

This is a problem, because medicines designed to treat humans can also affect other species in serious ways, changing their bodies and behaviour. The chemicals can also pass through food webs and affect animals higher up the chain.

Urgent action is needed to design drugs that work on humans, but don’t harm nature.

Water from a drainage system enters a creek in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Wastewater entering rivers can harm aquatic life. Shutterstock

Evidence of harm

In the past two decades, studies have emerged showing the extent to which medicines persist in nature.

In August this year, Australian researchers found[1] the antidepressant fluoxetine – sold under the brand name Prozac, among others – can harm male guppies[2] in ways that affected their body condition and breeding.

Research in 2022[3] examined pharmaceuticals in rivers in 104 countries of all continents. It found pharmaceutical contaminants posed a threat to the health of the environment or humans in more than a quarter of locations studied.

In 2018, a study of watercourses and surrounds in Melbourne[4] found more than 60 pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic invertebrates and spiders.

Researchers in the United States have found[5] hormones in the contraceptive pill have caused male fish to produce a protein usually produced by female fish. This “feminisation” led to collapses in fish populations.

And a psychoactive drug found in wastewater effluent has been found to alter wild fish behaviour and feeding[6].

Three guppies (side view), top male, bottom females
The antidepressant fluoxetine – sold under the brand name Prozac, among others – can harm male guppies. Per Harald Olsen, Wikimedia, CC BY[7][8]

Benign by design

So how do we solve this problem?

More effective and economical wastewater treatments must be developed[9] to remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater before it is discharged into the environment.

In addition, researchers developing pharmaceuticals must adopt a “benign by design[10]” approach across the entire life of a drug.

From the outset, drugs must be designed to decompose quickly and fully after being excreted by humans. It’s possible for drug scientists to alter the chemical and physical properties of drugs[11] so after humans excrete them, the active ingredients mineralise, or change form, to base substances such as carbon dioxide and water.

Traditionally researchers have designed drugs not to break down, either on the shelf or in the human body. While these properties remain important, drug developers should ensure medicines degrade quickly once in the environment.

A woman in a lab coat holds two pills
Researchers should adopt a ‘benign by design’ approach to pharmaceutical design. Shutterstock[12]

Taking action

The principles of sustainable drug discovery should be included in Australia’s academic curriculum.

This would hopefully produce a generation of drug researchers who prioritise, where possible, medications that don’t harm the environment.

Regulation is also needed to ensure “greener” drug development. The International Pharmaceutical Federation last year took steps in this direction. The global body, representing more than 4 million pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, released a statement[13] calling for all medicines to be rigorously tested for environmental risk.

The European Medicines agency[14] has gone even further. It requires the environmental risk of a medicine to be assessed before it’s approved for use.

The assessment considers a medicine’s chemical properties, potential ecological harm and where in the environment it may end up, such as water or soil. Pharmaceutical companies are also required to produce waste management plans that minimise environmental impact.

Research has found[15] Australia lags behind on introducing similar requirements for environmental risk assessments for medicines.

By prioritising eco-friendly practices, the pharmaceutical sector can contribute to a healthier planet, while continuing to provide safe and effective medicines.

Everyday Australians can also take action to reduce environmental pollution from medicines. The federal government’s Return Unwanted Medicines[16] project allows household drugs to be returned to pharmacies for safe and correct disposal.

By dropping off old medicines to your local chemist – instead of flushing or throwing them away, as some people mistakenly do – you can help look after fish and other wildlife in your area.

References

  1. ^ Australian researchers found (besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  2. ^ can harm male guppies (theconversation.com)
  3. ^ Research in 2022 (doi.org)
  4. ^ a study of watercourses and surrounds in Melbourne (doi.org)
  5. ^ Researchers in the United States have found (doi.org)
  6. ^ wild fish behaviour and feeding (www.science.org)
  7. ^ Per Harald Olsen, Wikimedia (commons.wikimedia.org)
  8. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  9. ^ must be developed (doi.org)
  10. ^ benign by design (doi.org)
  11. ^ chemical and physical properties of drugs (doi.org)
  12. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  13. ^ released a statement (www.fip.org)
  14. ^ European Medicines agency (www.ema.europa.eu)
  15. ^ Research has found (doi.org)
  16. ^ Return Unwanted Medicines (returnmed.com.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/the-medicines-we-take-to-stay-healthy-are-harming-nature-heres-what-needs-to-change-235012

The Times Features

The Best Adjustable Bed and Mattress Packages for Comfort

The appropriate bed and mattress are essential for establishing the perfect sleep environment. If you seek a way to upgrade your sleep experience, adjustable bed and mattress pac...

Designing a Modern Home: Features That Will Make Your Dream House Stand Out

Designing your dream home is an exciting journey, and for many, it’s an opportunity to create a space that reflects their personal style, functionality needs, and modern trends. ...

Client Dinners Done Right: Tips for Meaningful Engagement

Client dinners offer more than just a meal—they’re an opportunity to build lasting business relationships in a more personal and relaxed setting. Done well, these dinners can str...

From Classic to Contemporary: 5 Timeless Costumes for Any Party

When it comes to dressing up for a costume party, you want to choose something that is not only fun but also memorable. Whether you're attending a Halloween event, a themed gathe...

Action Figures as Art: The Growing Trend of Custom Figures and Modding

Action figures have long been regarded as collectible items, valued by enthusiasts and fans for their connection to popular culture. However, in recent years, a growing trend has...

The Ultimate Guide to Securing Grants for Your Small Business in Australia

Running a small business in Australia comes with both opportunities and challenges. While it can be rewarding, funding your business through the early stages or periods of growth...

Times Magazine

Top Benefits of Hiring Commercial Electricians for Your Business

When it comes to business success, there are no two ways about it: qualified professionals are critical. While many specialists are needed, commercial electricians are among the most important to have on hand. They are directly involved in upholdin...

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

LayBy Shopping