International WHO concerned about antibiotic production

The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about the production of antibiotics in many countries. For the first time, it has drawn up recommendations for the safe production of antibiotics.

In pharmaceutical factories, too many active substances are often released into waste water and the environment. This could encourage the spread of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, explained the WHO. If these bacteria infect humans and cause infections, there are hardly any effective remedies left.

Antibiotic resistance also develops through the overuse of antibiotics or the premature discontinuation of a treatment cycle.

The recommendations are intended for producers, among others. They must rigorously monitor and ensure their wastewater, said WHO wastewater specialist Kate Medlicott. Regulatory authorities should also impose stricter environmental requirements than before when approving pharmaceutical production.

The WHO also recommends full transparency so that investors, purchasers and, where appropriate, patients can reward pharmaceutical companies for their efforts to protect the environment.

The WHO also recommends that patients are better informed about how to dispose of unused tablets. "Leftover medication does not belong in the toilet or in the sink/drain," writes the Federal Environment Ministry. In many places, old medication can be disposed of in the residual waste garbage can. Some pharmacies also take back unused medicines and dispose of them properly.

SDA