WHO Issues New Global Guidelines to Reduce Antibiotic Pollution

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced new global guidelines to limit antibiotic pollution from pharmaceutical manufacturing. This initiative targets the reduction of environmental contamination, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. The guidelines aim to promote sustainable manufacturing practices, improve waste management, and enhance regulatory oversight to protect both ecosystems and public health from the adverse effects of antibiotic pollution.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first guidance on managing antibiotic pollution from manufacturing. The guidelines, focused on wastewater and solid waste management, highlight this often overlooked issue ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on September 26, 2024.

Antibiotic pollution, which contributes to the rise and spread of AMR, threatens the global effectiveness of antibiotics, including those produced at the polluting sites. Despite evidence of high levels of antibiotic pollution, regulations are lacking, and quality standards generally ignore environmental emissions. Additionally, there is limited public guidance on the proper disposal of unused antibiotics, leading to further contamination.

Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for AMR, stressed that pollution from pharmaceutical waste can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria that pose a global health risk. Controlling such pollution is key to preserving the efficacy of these vital medicines. Furthermore, Dr. Maria Neira, Director of WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Health, emphasized that the new guidance offers a transparent, science-based approach for regulators, buyers, and the public to promote strong antibiotic pollution controls.

The guidance, backed by international bodies like the WHO Executive Board, G7 health ministers, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), also calls for a greater focus on the environment’s role in AMR. It suggests pollution control measures for municipalities, manufacturing sites, healthcare, and agriculture, underscoring the need for broader environmental action.

Developed through collaboration with experts from various sectors, the guidance sets health-based targets to reduce AMR risks for both humans and aquatic life. It addresses all steps of antibiotic production, from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to finished products, and was shaped by public consultations and industry input. AMR, caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that resist treatment, leads to severe infections, increased illness, and death. Although driven by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials, many people worldwide still lack access to essential medicines.

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Source: pharmabiz‍