Three medicines have entered the list of "emerging" pollutants considered dangerous for surface waters and collective health. This is discussed in the plenary debate in the European Parliament (from 1 to 4 July) together with another major health issue: the strengthening of the EU system for responding to epidemics. With regard to the first item on the agenda, on the basis of new rules that have just been informally agreed with the European ministers, a list of products to be monitored will be drawn up which will also include three pharmaceutical substances: 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol, 17-beta-estradiol and diclofenac. The aim is to evaluate whether in the future the two hormones and NSAIDs should be included in the priority list of substances subject to regular control. In particular, the bill under discussion recognizes the risk posed by the drugs mentioned and asks the Commission to develop a strategic approach for assessing the risks related to the presence of pharmaceutical products in the aquatic environment. The other health issue under consideration is the EU's response capacity to cross-border health threats (for example the coronavirus, the 2011 Escherichia coli epidemic or the 2009 H1N1 influenza epidemic). In particular, a bill that is being discussed today and will be approved tomorrow will strengthen the legislation on a continental scale, already agreed with the Council: now both a European-scale early warning system is envisaged which will make it possible to implement a more faster and better coordinated, is a rule to facilitate cooperation between Member States to buy vaccines in groups, and therefore at advantageous prices, guaranteeing more equitable access to immunoprophylaxis.
8 July 2013 – Pharmacist33
