Op-ed: AMR Awareness Week: Way forward for pharma companies to ensure antibiotics manufacturing doesn’t drive resistance

Van Gerven argues that the release of antibiotic waste into the environment is often an overlooked driver of AMR. Pharmaceutical companies, as major players in antibiotic manufacturing, should adopt responsible manufacturing practices to mitigate AMR risks.

He references the Foundation's report on responsible manufacturing, published in August 2023, which sets out actionable steps pharmaceutical companies can take to enable industry-wide progress: implementing effective wastewater management methods to control antibiotic concentrations, working with suppliers to ensure responsible manufacturing practices across the supply chain, and advocating for transparency by publicly disclosing information about antibiotic waste management.

Van Gerven notes that more companies need to act to achieve a wider impact. By embracing responsible manufacturing practices, pharmaceutical companies are not only minimising the threat of AMR but also future-proofing their businesses in a shifting global landscape where governments, regulators, procurers, and investors increasingly value and reward responsible practices.