Impact of pharmaceutical toxicity on the environment and its regulatory aspects

Pharmaceutical-induced environmental contamination demands urgent attention, with around 43% of global rivers facing risks from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The entire spectrum of pharmaceutical products, including active and inactive components, requires serious consideration due to continuous emissions and potential hazards to the environment and human health. Discussions on chemical waste reduction face limitations due to incomplete knowledge about their toxicity to humans. Despite various initiatives, collaboration evidence is minimal, and environmental health disparities persist in socially disadvantaged communities, leading to higher disease rates. While awareness of ecotoxicity is growing, the European Union (EU), United States (US) and Canada have taken steps, including disposal procedures, prevention strategies, and focus on concerns like antimicrobial resistance. This article explores environmental pollution complexities and policies in US, EU and Canada to mitigate its impact within health disparities.