ECOPHARMACOVIGILANCE (EPV)

 

INTRODUCTION

Ecopharmacovigilance (EPV) is the process of monitoring and assessing the potential risks associated with pharmaceutical products on the environment. In other words, it involves identifying, assessing, and managing environmental risks associated with pharmaceutical production, use, and disposal. As the demand for pharmaceuticals continues to rise, it is increasingly important to ensure that the environment is not adversely impacted by the production, use, and disposal of these products. EPV monitors the environmental impact of drugs, including the presence of active ingredients and their metabolites in natural waters, sediments, and soils, as well as their effects on aquatic life, vegetation, and other organisms.

Examples of ecopharmacovigilance include monitoring pharmaceuticals in soil, water, and air; analyzing the impacts of pharmaceuticals on ecosystems; and assessing the risks of pharmaceuticals to wildlife and other organisms in the environment. Additionally, ecopharmacovigilance is used to develop strategies for reducing pharmaceuticals' environmental impact and inform decision-makers about the potential risks of pharmaceuticals in the environment.

OBJECTIVES


IMPACT OF PHARMACEUTICALS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Pharmaceuticals are widely used in medical treatments and have allowed us to combat many illnesses and maintain healthy lives. However, these drugs are also finding their way into the environment and can cause a variety of problems. Pharmaceuticals can be found in wastewater, surface water, sediments, and even in drinking water. Pharmaceuticals can be released into the environment from hospitals, water treatment plants, and even from homes.

Pharmaceuticals can have a negative impact on the environment. When pharmaceuticals enter the environment, they can cause a variety of ecological concerns. These include changes in the behaviour of aquatic organisms, alterations in the genetic expression of aquatic organisms, and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition, pharmaceuticals can impact the water quality of aquatic ecosystems, leading to oxygen depletion and decreased biodiversity.

It is important to reduce the number of pharmaceuticals entering the environment. This can be achieved in several ways, such as increasing awareness about the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals, using more efficient wastewater treatment technologies, and using biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives to pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, it is important to continue researching the effects of pharmaceuticals on the environment to develop better strategies to protect our environment.

IMPACT OF PHARMACEUTICALS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Pharmaceuticals are widely used in medical treatments and have allowed us to combat many illnesses and maintain healthy lives. However, these drugs are also finding their way into the environment and can cause a variety of problems. Pharmaceuticals can be found in wastewater, surface water, sediments, and even in drinking water. Pharmaceuticals can be released into the environment from hospitals, water treatment plants, and even from homes.

Pharmaceuticals can have a negative impact on the environment. When pharmaceuticals enter the environment, they can cause a variety of ecological concerns. These include changes in the behaviour of aquatic organisms, alterations in the genetic expression of aquatic organisms, and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition, pharmaceuticals can impact the water quality of aquatic ecosystems, leading to oxygen depletion and decreased biodiversity.

It is important to reduce the number of pharmaceuticals entering the environment. This can be achieved in several ways, such as increasing awareness about the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals, using more efficient wastewater treatment technologies, and using biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives to pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, it is important to continue researching the effects of pharmaceuticals on the environment to develop better strategies to protect our environment.

PROCESS OF ECOPHARMACOVIGILANCE

EPV IN INDIA

The global status of ecopharmacovigilance is still in its early stages. While some countries have implemented systems to monitor the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals, many have yet to do so. There is a need for international collaboration and information sharing to ensure the responsible use of medicines and to protect the environment from the potentially adverse effects of pharmaceuticals.

The concept of ecopharmacovigilance (EPV) was introduced in India in 2009 by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This is a novel concept which integrates the principles of ecology and pharmacovigilance. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal agency for implementing the EPV system in India. The EPV system in India consists of two components, namely, the Central Pharmacovigilance Centre (CPC) and the National Pharmacovigilance Database (NPVD). The CPC is responsible for collecting, processing and analysing data related to the environmental effects of pharmaceutical drugs. The NPVD is an online database which stores information related to the environmental effects of pharmaceutical drugs. The MoEFCC also organizes regular workshops and seminars to create awareness about the EPV system.

CONCLUSION

Implementing ecopharmacovigilance is essential in improving the environment's safety and protecting ecosystems from the risks associated with pharmaceuticals. Monitoring and assessing the potential risks can help to identify potential problems in advance and inform decision-makers on the best ways to avert or mitigate environmental damage. Ecopharmacovigilance is essential to the overall effort to protect the environment and human health.

REFERENCES

1.    Vidhi Gautam, YP Sahni, Sachin Kumar Jain. Ecopharmacovigilance: An environment safety issue. The Pharma Innovation Journal 2018; 7(5): 234-239.

2.    Dr Amiya, Dr Anjali. Ecopharmacolovigilance: current need and future scope. World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development May- 2021; 7(5): 99-101.

3.    Avisek Dutta1,*, Anupam Banerjee2, Sunil Chaudhry3 Ecopharmacovigilance: Need of the hour. Indian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2022;9(2):1–4.

4.    Syed Ziaur Rahman*, Rahat Ali Khan, Varun Gupta and Misbah Uddin. Pharmacoenvironmentology – a component of pharmacovigilance. Environmental Health 24 July 2007, 6:20.

5.    Ajay Gupta, S. Z. Rahman. Pharmacoenvironmentology and Environmental Risk: Current status. Pharmcovig Drug Safety, January-March-2015, Volume: 12, Issue :1, Page: 49-51 49.


 Shraddha Khobragade

Master of Pharmacy

CSROL_INT_ONL_WKD_188/2022

 


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