Enforce science-based discharge limits for antibiotic manufacturing

Regulators should set antibiotic-specific discharge targets based on resistance-selection and ecological risk, require manufacturers to measure mass balances and final effluent, independently audit treatment systems, publish compliance information and enforce corrective action. Purchasers should require equivalent standards throughout global supply chains.

Controls must cover active-ingredient production, formulation, cleaning wastewater, sludge and outsourced treatment. Limits should follow validated analytical methods and avoid assuming that zero-liquid-discharge claims eliminate all pathways.