Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: Commitments and Actions

Pfizer recognizes public concerns and has taken action. For many years, Pfizer and legacy Wyeth facilities have reduced releases of products and other materials to the environment and have assessed risks to ensure these releases do not harm health or the environment. We have also participated for several years in efforts led by pharmaceutical industry groups to better understand PIE and associated risks.

Through these collaborations and outreach efforts, both Pfizer and legacy Wyeth have advanced the science, encouraged debate and shared knowledge with regulators, policy makers and the public. Websites like SMARxT Disposal raise consumer awareness about proper disposal of unused medicines.

However, we must do more to address concern. Pfizer embraces responsible environmental stewardship and we have increased our commitments and stepped up initiatives to tackle complex PIE issues.

Strategies include:

• Collaborating with the scientific community, policy makers, regulatory agencies, patient groups and nongovernmental organizations aggressively advancing PIE knowledge. Partnering with other pharmaceutical companies and government agencies to further explore unused medicine disposal options.
• Joining product take-back programs in countries that initiate them.
• Assessing and minimizing the environmental impact of prescription and over-the-counter active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from manufacturing. The legacy Wyeth facility in Newbridge, Ireland, now produces no detectable APIs in wastewater effluent, for example.

Dig Deeper

• Go to the SMARxT Disposal website
• Read Pfizer's Position Paper on Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PIE)
• See performance highlights for water use

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• Return to the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Main Page
• Go to Green Chemistry

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