JOINING THE DOTS
Tackling Pharmaceuticals in the Environment and Antimicrobial Resistance in Europe
30 January 2018 • 14.30 – 16.30
European Parliament Room A5E-2 • Brussels
Hosted by Annie Schreijer-Pierik, MEP (EPP, NL) and Nicola Caputo, MEP (S&D, IT)
Event organised by the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), Changing Markets Foundation and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB)
The evolving policy debates about Pharmaceuticals in the Environment and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) are closely interconnected and should not take place in separate silos. This event aimed to “join the dots” between the two by discussing environmental pollution caused by pharmaceutical consumption in Europe (where water bodies and entire ecosystems are under strain) and by the production process of antibiotics in third countries.
The upcoming EU strategy on Pharmaceuticals in the Environment and the implementation of the new EU One Health Action Plan against AMR provided the backdrop for a lively discussion featuring policymakers, international experts, civil society and industry representatives to highlight the different facets of – and available solutions to – tackling both issues.
About the event
Programme
14.30
Welcome and introduction
14.35
Context and existing evidence
Setting the scene: Pharmaceuticals in the environment, antibiotics production / consumption practices and the rise of AMR
The global rise in multi-resistant bacteria and implications for patients
Pharmaceuticals in the water cycle
15.30
Policy and practical solutions: how can Europe tackle the problem?
European Commission response to the problem
Pharmaceutical residues and water – experiences with the Dutch approach
How European consumption of antibiotics is creating a global problem
Public procurement as a tool to reduce PiE and AMR
Pharmaceutical pollution, a concern for responsible investors
An industry perspective on pharmaceuticals in the environment & AMR
16.25
Closing remarks
Speakers
Annie Schreijer-Pierik, MEP
EPP, Netherlands
Nicola Caputo, MEP
S&D, Italy
Nina Renshaw
Secretary General, European Public Health Alliance
Dr Christoph Lübbert
University of Leipzig (Germany)
Prof Dr Jan Peter van der Hoek
EurEau and TU Delft (Netherlands)
Hans Stielstra
Deputy Head of Clean Water Unit, DG Environment, European Commission
Dr Caroline Moermond
RIVM (Netherlands)
Marc de Rooy
Ministry for Infrastructure and Water (Netherlands)
Lena Modigh Göransson
Västra Götalandsregionen (Sweden)
Magdalena Kettis
Head of Thematic Research, Nordea (Sweden)
Lucas Wiarda
Head of Sustainable Antibiotics Programme, DSM-Sinochem
Re-live the event
Event Gallery
Event Materials
Re-live the online discussion
It is high time we tackled #amr #pharmapollution says @AnnieSchreijer pic.twitter.com/peBGiJrIpd
— EPHA (@EPHA_EU) January 30, 2018
Jan Peter van der Hoek from @eureau & @tudelft moots Extended Producer Responsibility for pharmaceutical companies to address impacts of drugs in the environment. General public will otherwise be saddled with the costs #pharmapollution
— Changing Markets (@ChangingMarkets) January 30, 2018
Europe has the purchasing power to be part of the solution. We can’t manage what we don’t measure: targets are needed to know more about consumption -@ninawren
— EPHA (@EPHA_EU) January 30, 2018
In Brussels @Europarl_EN to Join the Dots on #AMR and pharmaceuticals in the environment with @AnnieSchreijer @EPHA_EU and @Green_Europe #pharmapollution. Read our new report here: https://t.co/5kL5g8SYvj pic.twitter.com/i07ZYG4OAM
— Changing Markets (@ChangingMarkets) January 30, 2018
Epsa is present at @EPHA_EU, @Green_Europe 'Joining the dots. Tackling #pharmaceuticals in the #environment and #AntimicrobialResistance in #Europe'
— EPSA (@EPSA_Online) January 30, 2018
Dr. Christoph Lübbert:" #AMR correlates highly with consumption in the respective country"#KeepAntibioticsWorking pic.twitter.com/qvX0A705db
Who should bear the costs of preventing #pharmapollution? Nina Renshaw from @EPHA_EU highlights that it should always be those producing pharmaceuticals that pay – in line with the polluter pays principle – an underlying principle of EU #envi policy! #AMR
— EEB (@Green_Europe) January 30, 2018
Dr. Christoph Lübbert from @UniLeipzig warns that we are “on the threshold of a post-antibiotic era” as a result of #AMR & #pharmapollution. Read more about impact of toxic #pharma production in India in @ChangingMarkets new report: https://t.co/yrFNwZ6Y8H
— EEB (@Green_Europe) January 30, 2018
Many industry representatives are concerned; #antibiotics enter environment also through irresponsible use and animal farming, not just waste, says @WiardaL @DSM_Sinochem
— EPHA (@EPHA_EU) January 30, 2018