The evaluation report for medicinal products for human use analyses available data on quantities consumed and applied, pathways of input into waters, monitoring data concerning surface waters, groundwater and drinking water as well as quality criteria and possible measures. After an assessment of all data, the most efficient measures will be determined.
Municipal wastewater treatment plants have been identified to be a main pathway of input for all medicinal products for human use and their transformation products. In addition, hospitals or production sites may be of local relevance. Introducing tertiary treatment (ozonisation, active carbon) in selected big wastewater treatment plants was judged to be one of the most efficient measures to reduce remnants of medicinal products for human use in waters.