DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals (DSP), a leading producer of sustainable antibiotics, has declared it will actively engage with its peers to identify solutions to the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from the industry’s perspective. DSP welcomes that an increasing number of pharmaceutical companies and their suppliers are starting to join forces and together address the role of irresponsible and polluting antibiotic manufacturing in accelerating AMR. This is an encouraging first step but continued industry attention and urgent action is required, says DSP.
In addition to the misuse of antibiotics in humans and agriculture, irresponsible manufacturing of antibiotics forms a particular risk for the emergence of AMR via the uncontrolled release of active antibiotics into the environment. According to the AMR Review, the independent authority on AMR, concentrations of antibiotics found in such situations can be millions of times higher than safe limits, creating ‘hotspots’ for the emergence of resistant bacteria. Today, the immediate costs of this pharmaceutical pollution are borne by local communities. However, drug-resistant bacteria know no borders and quickly spread across the world, supported by intense tourism, business travel and international trade, making pharmaceutical pollution a global issue. The topic of pharmaceutical pollution was also raised at the World Economic Forum in Davos followed by a “Declaration by the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Diagnostics Industries on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance” signed by leading pharmaceutical and generics companies.
DSP has long been vocal about the need to use the cleanest production technologies and dedicated waste water treatment plants in combination with antimicrobial activity testing. These basic requirements for clean, responsible and sustainable antibiotics production are implemented at all DSP sites globally. DSP uses unique enzymatic production technology, operates dedicated wastewater treatment plants, and executes antimicrobial activity testing on effluents.
During DCAT week 2016 DSP invites its industry peers and relevant stakeholders for an active dialogue on this important matter.
Quotes and Background information:
Karl Rotthier, CEO of DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals
“As a leading manufacturer of sustainable antibiotics, DSP has long been vocal about the role of the industry in antibiotic resistance. DSP invented the cleanest production technology available and uses dedicated waste water treatment plants at all sites, combined with antimicrobial activity testing. We are committed to working with our suppliers to ensure a clean value chain. At the same time, we gladly accept the invitation of the AMR Review to participate in the discussion and development of environmental standards and diagnostics to monitor antimicrobial activity in industrial waste streams.” Mr. Rotthier went on to praise the role of the AMR Review team as an independent body and global authority on AMR and in further highlighting the role of the industry.
Xian Ming, Chief Strategy Officer of DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals
“The causes of AMR are complicated and interconnected and while our understanding of them is improving, we urgently need to make further progress as the effects are now a very real and imminent problem. It is imperative that all stakeholders in the antibiotic value chain live up to their commitments in our fight against AMR, and a level playing field is created by effective legislation. This also means that all producers in the value chain, supported by NGO’s and government organizations, need to produce and source in a globally accepted responsible manner, in line with the recommendations of the AMR Review.”
Frans Vlaar, Business Unit Director Europe/America of DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals
“In line with recommendations form the AMR Review, the risk of resistance must urgently become a key environmental consideration for all stakeholders in the antibiotics industry, including regulators. It is our responsibility as antibiotics manufacturers that waste from production is treated properly. We fully support the call of the AMR Review for effective reporting and oversight of waste management of all members in the value chain, something that is already a feature (and a challenge) in many industries, including food and clothing production. To bridge the time until effective legislation is in place, we call on all buyers of generic antibiotics to factor appropriate management of environmental considerations, including the amount of APIs and antibiotics that the company or their suppliers generate as waste, into their procurement decisions.”
Lucas Wiarda, Head of the Sustainable Antibiotics Program of DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals
“We see and gladly accept the responsibility that comes with producing antibiotics. We are committed to raising awareness on this issue and drive the global debate. Being one of the three companies that pioneered penicillin and antibiotic production in the 1940s as the Dutch Yeast & Spirits Factory and later Gist-brocades, DSP has always been a global frontrunner in innovative and clean production technologies and waste management for antibiotics. Thanks to our efforts we are already in a very good position:
• In the 1980s, we invented and introduced an anaerobe waste water treatment system, which is highly effective in treating antibiotic activity. To ensure antibiotic free waste streams we have invested in dedicated waste water treatment plants at each of our sites around the globe, which are fully owned by DSP and operated 24/7.
• Since the early 2000s we have - wherever possible - replaced harmful chemical processes with our proprietary, clean enzymatic biotechnology, leading to energy savings and reduction in CO2 output by up to 65%, since 2008. We continue to set ambitious environmental targets and drive improvements in our global manufacturing footprint.
• More recently, we developed and are implementing practical and effective antimicrobial activity testing at all our waste water treatment plants. This unique test detects the presence of a wide range of antibiotics. Currently DSP is developing similar tests for other waste streams - a first in the industry – while assessing how to introduce pragmatic and effective antimicrobial activity testing in the entire supply chain.
These efforts are shared in more detail in the annual Sustainability Report of DSP, available from our company website www.dsm-sinochem.com.”
Closing remark Karl Rotthier, CEO of DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals
“Two years ago, we were the only company raising the issue of pollution from antibiotics production. I am glad to see that today this has become part of the public debate. It is time for the industry to stand up and take responsibility. We all owe it to the world to produce these essential life-saving medicines in the most responsible and sustainable way possible. As DSP we are committed to participating in the global debate on regulatory standards for antibiotic residue testing, developing and refining appropriate tests and surveillance methodologies. We also promote extension of these into the entire value chain and strongly support inclusion of such criteria in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). To accelerate this, we will leverage all our relations with suppliers, customers but also governments and NGOs. At the same time we call on the whole industry to not wait for legislation but go ahead by following best practices, taking responsibility and ideally self-regulation.”
Antimicrobial Resistance: a global health threat
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats facing mankind. The urgency to act is being recognized at both national and global political levels. We need progress on both of these fronts in order to tackle this threat. At the same time, it cannot be limited to calling for antibiotics stewardship only. Amongst many others it must also include action to ensure that manufacturing practices are improved and that quantities of APIs reaching the environment through waste are significantly reduced. The economic cost of inaction to the world economy are estimated to be in the range of 100 trillion USD by 2050, according to a KPMG study. This is not to mention the many millions of lives that will be lost if we do not curb resistance.
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DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals is the global leader in Sustainable Antibiotics, anti-fungals and next generation statins.
Roughly 2000 employees worldwide work together to deliver cutting edge generics solutions that help to keep customers ahead of the competition.
Headquartered in Singapore, the group has operations in China, India, Egypt, the Netherlands, Spain, the US and Mexico.
Please visit www.dsm-sinochem.com for more information or contact
DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals
Mansur Gharabaghi, Global Head of Branding & Corporate Communications
E-Mail: mansur.gharabaghi@dsm-sinochem.com
