ARVs Water Impact: Examining the Environmental Consequences of Antiretroviral Drugs in South Africa’s Water Systems

By João L. Carapinha

July 29, 2025

A study by North-West University found high levels of HIV antiretrovirals (ARVs) in South African water systems. The ARVs lopinavir and efavirenz were detected downstream of wastewater plants, exceeding safety limits. These pose risks to aquatic life, such as altered snail development and disrupted bacteriophages. Authorities claim current standards protect human health.

Key Insights

Lopinavir and efavirenz were the most common ARVs found, at 38 μg/L and 24 μg/L. Wastewater systems cannot remove these drugs, and the resultant environmental effects include bacterial blooms and harm to non-target species. Long-term risks to ecosystems and humans are unclear.

South Africa’s HIV program uses about 159,000 kg of ARVs yearly. Around 30% enters water via sewage, and treatment plants are not designed to filter these drugs. Global research labels ARVs as contaminants of concern and current standards ignore such pollutants.

Implications

This crisis requires interdisciplinary solutions:

  1. Better wastewater tech (e.g., advanced oxidation) may help but could be costly.
  2. New regulations should set ARV discharge limits for environmental safety.
  3. Ongoing monitoring is needed to track risks like antimicrobial resistance.

The study highlights the balance between public health and environmental protection. Cross-sector collaboration is vital. For more, review the original findings on ARVs water impact.

Reference url

Recent Posts

NICE Endorses Darolutamide Prostate Cancer Treatment for Improved Patient Access

By HEOR Staff Writer

October 24, 2025

Darolutamide prostate cancer treatment has received a major endorsement from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which issued final draft guidance recommending darolutamide combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for adults with hormone-sensitive metastatic pros...
FDA Cancer Trial Guidelines: Prioritizing Overall Survival for Patient-Centered Approvals

By João L. Carapinha

October 23, 2025

The FDA cancer trial guidelines from August 2025 emphasize overall survival (OS) as the key endpoint for oncology drug approvals. If you're wondering how these FDA cancer trial guidelines impact patient outcomes in treatment trials, they shift focus from surrogate measures like progression-free s...
Navigating Novo Nordisk Board Changes: Leadership for Growth and Strategy

By João L. Carapinha

October 21, 2025

The Novo Nordisk board changes involve a major restructuring, as the Novo Nordisk Foundation is revitalizing leadership ahead of a general meeting on November 14, 2025, where new directors will be elected. Key candidates include former CEO Lars Rebien Sørensen as chair and Cees de Jong as vice ch...