Legislation Controlling the Discharge of Pharmaceuticals into the Environment

As stated in previous chapters, the earliest studies on quantification of pharmaceutical concentrations in the environment and induction of toxic effects on organisms date back to the 1990s. Since then, concern regarding the presence of trace concentrations of these emerging pollutants and the health risk they represent has increased in various sectors of society in different parts of the world. While this field of study has yet to be developed, joint efforts have been initiated to mitigate the possible ecotoxicological effects of these contaminants and regulate their presence in surface water, groundwater, and even drinking water. This chapter aims to make a breakdown of current information regarding the progress in legislation on pharmaceuticals in the environment, focusing first on a global vision and the actions proposed by the European Community and subsequently on the efforts made by different countries as well as the World Health Organization. The viewpoints of some pharmaceutical manufacturers and the existing hospital legislation on pharmaceuticals in the environment have been incorporated, since these entities represent two of the most important entry routes of pharmaceuticals into the environment. Lastly, the prospects and initiatives on this matter proposed for the year 2018 are briefly discussed.