noPILLS in Bilthoven, The Netherlands

RIVM’s main aim within the NoPILLS project is to provide a structured overview of available knowledge on factors that affect the input of medicinal products in the water cycle. For this, RIVM aims to conceptualize a macro-framework that includes the complete medicinal product chain. This framework will be a tool for international comparison, enabling the identification of structural preconditions that affect the input of medicinal products in the water cycle.
The medicinal product chain involves several actors and processes, such as development and production (industry), authorization, market, legislation, physicians, prescription, pharmacies, health insurance, patients, consumption pattern, disposal behavior etc. The actors and processes in the chain are affected by social, organizational, financial, technological and/or policy incentives and disincentives, which can in turn be levered to change the input of medicinal products in the water cycle.

Using several prioritized medicinal products as an example, RIVM will provide a detailed analysis of the medicinal product chain in the Netherlands. Subsequently, the current and planned activities of our other NoPILLS partners will enable international comparison between medicinal chains from different countries and identify leverage points for improved practices.

Considered medicinal product chain