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Proietti G, Burico M, Quintiero CM, Giovagnoni E, Mercati V, Gianni M, Mattoli L. Ready Biodegradability study and insights with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled to a quadrupole time of flight of a Metformin-based drug and of Metarecod, a natural substance-based medical device. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2023; 58:e4924. [PMID: 37365837 DOI: 10.1002/jms.4924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Drugs are indispensable products with incontrovertible benefits to human health and lifestyle. However, due to their overuse and improper disposal, unwanted residues of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) have been found in different compartments of the environment and now are considered as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Therefore, they are very likely to have a boomerang effect on human health, because they can enter into the food cycle. In the current legislation framework, one of the tests first used to evaluate biodegradation of APIs as well as chemical compounds is the ready biodegradability test (RBT). This test can be performed according to a series of protocols prepared by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and usually is carried out on pure compounds. RBTs, largely used due to their relatively low cost, perceived standardization, and straightforward implementation and interpretation, are known to have a number of well-documented limitations. In this work, following a recently reported approach, we propose to improve the evaluation of the RBT results applying advanced analytical techniques based on mass spectrometry, not only to the APIs but also to complex formulated products, as the biodegradability can potentially be affected by the formulation. We evaluated the ready biodegradability of two therapeutic products, Product A-a drug based on Metformin-and Product B-Metarecod a natural substance-based medical device-through the acquisition of the fingerprint by ultra-high-performance chromatograph coupled to a quadrupole time of flight (UHPLC-qToF) of samples coming from the RBT OECD 301F. Untargeted and targeted evaluation confirmed the different behavior of the two products during the respirometry-manometric test, which showed a difficulty of the Metformin-based drug to come back in the life cycle, whereas Metarecod resulted ready biodegradable. The positive results of this research will hopefully be useful in the future for a better evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio of APIs extended to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Proietti
- Metabolomics & Analytical Sciences, Aboca SpA, Sansepolcro, AR, Italy
| | - Michela Burico
- Metabolomics & Analytical Sciences, Aboca SpA, Sansepolcro, AR, Italy
| | | | | | - Valentino Mercati
- Metabolomics & Analytical Sciences, Aboca SpA, Sansepolcro, AR, Italy
| | - Mattia Gianni
- Metabolomics & Analytical Sciences, Aboca SpA, Sansepolcro, AR, Italy
| | - Luisa Mattoli
- Metabolomics & Analytical Sciences, Aboca SpA, Sansepolcro, AR, Italy
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Moermond CTA, Berg C, Bergstrom U, Bielská L, Evandri MG, Franceschin M, Gildemeister D, Montforts MHMM. Proposal for regulatory risk mitigation measures for human pharmaceutical residues in the environment. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 143:105443. [PMID: 37433367 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Environmental risks of human pharmaceutical products should be made transparent and mitigated as far as possible. We propose to apply a risk mitigation scheme to the marketing authorisation of human medicinal products which is pragmatic and tailored, and thus will not increase the burden to regulators and industry too much. This scheme takes into account increasing knowledge and accuracy of the environmental risk estimates, applying preliminary risk mitigation when risks are determined based on model estimates, and definitive, more strict and far-reaching risk mitigation when risks are based on actual measured environmental concentrations. Risk mitigation measures should be designed to be effective, proportional, easy to implement, and in line with current (other) legislation, as well as not being a burden to the patient/health care professionals. Furthermore, individual risk mitigation measures are proposed for products showing environmental risks, while general risk mitigation measures can be applied to all products to reduce the overall burden of pharmaceuticals in the environment. In order to effectively mitigate risk, linking marketing authorisation legislation to environmental legislation is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline T A Moermond
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Cecilia Berg
- Swedish Medical Products Agency, P.O. Box 26, SE-751 03, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika Bergstrom
- Swedish Knowledge Centre of Pharmaceutical in the Environment, Swedish Medical Products Agency, Box 26, SE-751 03, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lucie Bielská
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic; State Institute for Drug Control, Šrobárova 48, 100 41, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | | | | | - Daniela Gildemeister
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06846, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany.
| | - Mark H M M Montforts
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
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Gildemeister D, Moermond CTA, Berg C, Bergstrom U, Bielská L, Evandri MG, Franceschin M, Kolar B, Montforts MHMM, Vaculik C. Improving the regulatory environmental risk assessment of human pharmaceuticals: Required changes in the new legislation. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023:105437. [PMID: 37354938 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
One of the flagship actions of the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe is to address environmental challenges associated with pharmaceutical use. This includes strengthening the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) at marketing authorisation (MA) of pharmaceuticals, and revision of the pharmaceutical legislation where needed. The overall aim of an ERA should be to enable comprehensive and effective identification and management of environmental risks of pharmaceuticals without affecting the availability of pharmaceuticals to patients. As experts in the evaluation of ERAs of human medicinal products submitted by pharmaceutical industries (Applicants), we have summarized the current status of the ERA and suggest legislative changes to improve environmental protection without affecting availability. Six regulatory goals were defined and discussed, including possible ways forward: 1) mandatory ERAs in accordance to the EMA guideline at the time of the MA, 2) enforcement of risk mitigation measures including re-evaluation of the ERA, 3) facilitated exchange of environmental data between pharmaceutical and environmental legislations, 4) substance-based assessments, 5) transparency of data, and 6) a catching-up procedure for active pharmaceutical ingredients that lack an ERA. These legislative proposals can be considered as prerequisites for a harmonised assessment and effective management of environmental risks and hazards of human pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gildemeister
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, D-06844, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany.
| | - Caroline T A Moermond
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, the Netherlands.
| | - Cecilia Berg
- Swedish Medical Products Agency, P.O. Box 26, SE-751 03, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika Bergstrom
- Swedish Knowledge Centre of Pharmaceutical in the Environment, Swedish Medical Products Agency, Box 26, SE-751 03, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lucie Bielská
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic; State Institute for Drug Control, Šrobárova 48, 100 41, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | | | | | - Boris Kolar
- National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food, Prvomajska Ulica 1, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Mark H M M Montforts
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, the Netherlands
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Domingo-Echaburu S, Abajo Z, Sánchez-Pérez A, Elizondo-Alzola U, de la Casa-Resino I, Lertxundi U, Orive G. Knowledge and attitude about drug pollution in pharmacy students: A questionnaire-based cross sectional study. CURRENTS IN PHARMACY TEACHING & LEARNING 2023:S1877-1297(23)00088-6. [PMID: 37173228 DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2023.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The environmental impact of drugs or pharmaceuticals is an issue of growing concern. Healthcare professionals, and pharmacists in particular, are used to managing medicines, yet aspects about drug pollution are generally neglected in schools of pharmacy worldwide. Formation in this issue is essential to tackle the problem. In this study, we aimed to find out the degree of knowledge about the problem of pharmaceuticals in the environment and the attitude about the matter of pharmacy students at the University of the Basque Country. METHODS We conducted a pilot study (186 students) using an online questionnaire available in two languages (Basque and Spanish). The attitude scale was validated for Spanish. To improve participation, a combination of indirect and direct recruitment was applied in the final study. RESULTS Four hundred eighty-seven students participated in the final study (response rate: 65.8%). The final questionnaire contained a total of 25 questions: 13 (knowledge), eight (attitude), and three (opinion). The results showed that knowledge can be considered relatively poor, whereas attitude was generally positive, and students considered drug pollution to be a relevant issue in general and in pharmacy practice. CONCLUSIONS We believe there is an urgent need to include aspects about pharmaceuticals in the environment in pharmacy studies worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saioa Domingo-Echaburu
- Pharmacy Service, Debagoiena Integrated Health Organisation, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Nafarroa Hiribidea, 16, 20500 Arrasate, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
| | - Zuriñe Abajo
- Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Alvaro Sánchez-Pérez
- Primary Health Care Research Unit of Bizkaia, Basque Health Service-Osakidetza, Edificio Biocruces 3, Plaza Cruces 12, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain.
| | - Usue Elizondo-Alzola
- Sciences of Dissemination and Implementation in Health Services research group, Primary Care Research Area - BioCruces Bizkaia Institute, Edificio Biocruces 3, Plaza Cruces 12, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain.
| | - Irene de la Casa-Resino
- Head of Service of Environmental Risk Assessment, Veterinary Medicines Department, Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices, Calle Campezo 1, 28022 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Unax Lertxundi
- Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba Mental Health Network, Araba Psychiatric Hospital, Pharmacy Service, c/Alava 43, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain.
| | - Gorka Orive
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz 01006, Spain; Bioaraba Health Research Institute, NanoBioCel Research group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
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Giergiel M, Campbell S, Giela A, Sharp E, Casali F, Śniegocki T, Sell B, Jedziniak P. Residues of an anthelmintic veterinary drug (closantel) detected in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Scotland. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 253:114651. [PMID: 36801542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of the environment by some veterinary medicines and their impact on wild animals is of increasing concern. However, there is a lack of information about their residues in wildlife. The sentinel animals most commonly used for monitoring the level of environmental contamination are birds of prey, and information on other carnivores and scavengers scarce. This study examined the livers from 118 foxes for residues of a range of 18 veterinary medicines (16 anthelmintic agents and 2 metabolites) used on farm livestock. The samples were collected from foxes, primarily in Scotland, shot during legal pest control activities conducted between 2014 and 2019. Closantel residues were detected in 18 samples, and the concentrations found ranged from 6.5 µgkg-1 to 1383 µgkg-1. No other compounds were found in significant quantities. The results show a surprising frequency and level of closantel contamination, raising concerns about both the route of contamination and the potential impacts on wild animals and the environment, such as the potential for significant wildlife contamination to contribute to the development of closantel-resistant parasites. The results also suggest that red fox (Vulpes vulpes) could be a useful sentinel species for detecting and monitoring some veterinary medicine residues in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Giergiel
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Street, 24-100 Puławy, Poland.
| | - Steve Campbell
- SASA, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh EH12 9FJ, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Giela
- The Scottish Government, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Fabio Casali
- University of Strathclyde, 16 Richmond St, Glasgow G1 1XQ, United Kingdom
| | - Tomasz Śniegocki
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Street, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Bartosz Sell
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Street, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Piotr Jedziniak
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Street, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
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Carballo M, Rodríguez A, de la Torre A. Phytotoxic Effects of Antibiotics on Terrestrial Crop Plants and Wild Plants: A Systematic Review. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 82:48-61. [PMID: 34671816 PMCID: PMC8732949 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-021-00893-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This review examines the state of knowledge on the phytotoxic effects of antibiotics on terrestrial crop plants and wild (non-crop) plants with the goal of evaluating differences in their sensitivity. This is important because environmental risk assessments of antibiotics currently consider their potential effects only on crop species but not wild species. Overall, we analysed 275 datasets consisting of antibiotic-plant species-endpoint combinations for germination (mg/L) and 169 datasets for plant growth (elongation and biomass) (mg/kg). EC10 and EC50 of each parameter were compared using a quotient approach, in which the geometric mean and the 5th percentile of the crop data were divided by wild data. Quotients were > 1 for elongation growth, suggesting that wild species were more sensitive than crops, while they were < 1 for biomass growth, suggesting quite the contrary. However, < 1% of the data in each dataset came from wild species, preventing definitive conclusions. Merging crop and wild data to evaluate differences in sensitivity among classes of antibiotics and plant families, we found using a linear mixed effect model and post hoc test that plants were most sensitive to phenicol and least sensitive to macrolides and tetracyclines. Further work must be conducted to gain a better understanding of the phytotoxic effects of antibiotics on terrestrial wild plants and subsequently assess whether the current approach to environmental risk assessment of antibiotics is sufficient to protect plant biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Carballo
- Animal Health Research Centre, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rodríguez
- Animal Health Research Centre, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana de la Torre
- Animal Health Research Centre, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.
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