Eco-pharmacovigilance of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Necessity and opportunities

Eco-pharmacovigilance (EPV) is a practical and powerful approach to minimize the potential risks posed by pharmaceutical residues in environment. However, it is impracticable to practise rigorous and unitary EPV process for all the existing and new pharmaceuticals. Here, we focused on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and discussed the necessity and potential opportunities of practising EPV of NSAIDs. We found that the consumption of NSAIDs is huge and ubiquitous across the globe. NSAIDs were worldwidely reported as one of the most dominant and frequently detected groups in environmental matrices including wastewater, surface water, suspended solids, sediments, groundwater, even drinking water. Besides, there is definitive evidence for the adverse impacts of NSAID residues on scavenging birds and aquatic species. These data suggested the necessity of implementing EPV of NSAIDs. From the perspective of drug administration, we identified some things that can be done as management practice options for EPV implementation on NSAIDs: Improving knowledge and perceptions of pharmacy/health care practitioners about EPV of NSAIDs. Emphasizing the control of NSAIDs pollution sources, including preventing unnecessary consumption and unrational use of NSAIDs; promoting the safe disposal of medicines among the general public; controlling the manufacturing-related releases. Identifying high-risk areas of NSAIDs pollution and associated risk factors. Identifying high priority NSAIDs to be monitored in environment. Lifting the world-wide ban on the production and sale of veterinary diclofenac in support of meloxicam, the only NSAID currently considered safe for vultures. Designing and constituting a multidisciplinary framework for EPV of NSAIDs. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.