Drug pollution and pharmacotherapy in psychiatry: A “platypus” in the room

Abstract

Preoccupation about potential deleterious effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment is growing fast. Psychiatric pharmaceuticals have received particular attention because of their increasing use and their potential impacts on many living beings due to their effects on phylogenetically highly conserved neuroendocrine systems. Recent studies that have shown that many pharmaceuticals (including psychotropics) bioaccumulate through the web food have raised this concern into new heights. As professionals working in the field of psychiatry and academia, we believe we are about to enter a new era with regard to pharmacotherapy. We estimate drug pollution will have a major impact on our daily practice in a way we are just starting to imagine. So far, this problem has largely been ignored by healthcare professionals, who are the ones prescribing and dispensing pharmaceuticals. We are convinced that increasing awareness among these professionals will be a key element to effectively fight against drug pollution.