Publication:

Ecopharmacology: an issue that needs urgent action

In recent years great concern has been expressed over the potential impact of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Pharmaceutical from various therapeutic classes have increasing being detected in the environment typically at low concentration in surface water. This has lead to development of ecopharmacovigilance (EPV). World Health Organization (WHO) defines eco pharmacovigilance as the science and activities associated with the detection, evaluation, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Compared to the west EPV in India is still in infancy, there is no formal frame-work to monitor for potential adverse effects of the pharmaceuticals on the environment.