Pharmaceutical waste management through microbial bioremediation

Pharmaceuticals play a significant role in enhancing the quality of life. However, pharmaceutical products (PPs) manufacturing presents challenges, particularly in terms of waste generated, posing a risk to the ecosystem. Existing physical and chemical remediation methods are expensive and are not directly applicable for pharmaceutical remediation. Bioremediation using various microbial consortia has the potential to become a cost-effective solution when applied optimally. This review highlights the various pharmaceutical products, their occurrence in the environment, and their associated health risks. Further, various microorganisms employed in the bioremediation process and the techniques utilized to degrade diverse categories of pharmaceutical pollutants are discussed. Finally, the review highlights the limitations of using bioremediation for treating pharmaceutical waste and discusses alternative sustainable green pharmacy approaches to reduce the impact of pharmaceutical contaminants on the environment.