The directive covers the management of sewage and solid waste from antibiotic production. It was adopted ahead of a high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at the UN General Assembly later this month in New York.

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medications. It is largely caused by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, even though many people around the world do not have access to these essential medications.

The effectiveness of antibiotics has been questioned

The WHO said the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance due to antibiotic contamination could undermine the effectiveness of antibiotics worldwide, including those produced in manufacturing plants responsible for contamination.

However, despite documented high levels of antibiotic contamination, the issue remains largely unregulated and quality assurance criteria generally do not take into account environmental emissions.

Furthermore, consumers are not provided with sufficient information on how to dispose of unused antibiotics, for example when the medicine has passed its expiry date or when a course of antibiotics has ended and there are still some left.

Potential new threats

“Pharmaceutical waste generated during antibiotic production may facilitate the emergence of new drug-resistant bacteria“which can spread around the world and threaten our health,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance temporary notice.

“Controlling contamination from antibiotic production helps maintain the effectiveness of these life-saving drugs “For everyone,” she added.

There is a lack of available information on the environmental damage caused by pharmaceutical production, according to the WHO. The WHO noted that several international bodies, including the health ministers of the leading G7 economies, as well as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), have requested the development of guidelines.

Environmental protection efforts are critical

“The role of the environment in the development, transmission and spread of antimicrobial resistance requires careful consideration as evidence for this is mounting“– said Jacqueline Alvarez, head of the Industry and Economics Division at UNEP.

“There is broad agreement that environmental action needs to become a more visible solution. This includes preventing and controlling pollution from urban systems, manufacturing plants, healthcare facilities and agri-food systems,” she added.