The first Stakeholder Meeting for the Life PharmaDetox Research Project, co-funded by the European Union, was successfully held at the Medochemie pharmaceutical company's offices.

The meeting aimed to present the Life Pharma Detox Project and facilitate an exchange of views among stakeholders, as well as to document values, concerns, and expectations for the proper design, development, and implementation of a technological detoxification system for pharmaceutical industry wastewater.

The meeting was attended by professors and researchers from the University of Cyprus and other European universities, representatives from the Department of Environment, the Department of Water Development, Sewerage Boards, pharmaceutical companies, and pharmaceutical industry support firms.

Dr. Christakis Sergidis, R&D, Innovation and CSR Director and coordinator of the Life Pharma Detox project, noted that pharmaceutical substances in wastewater are recognized by the scientific community as significant pollutants. Although the quantities of these compounds leaking into the environment are minimal, their bioaccumulation and potential long-term impacts raise concerns, necessitating their treatment. He highlighted particular concern regarding antibiotics, due to the potential development of antimicrobial resistance by microorganisms.

Dr. Maria Kyriazi, a researcher at the National Technical University of Athens, presented the initial design of the proposed innovative, environmentally and economically sustainable detoxification system for pharmaceutical industry wastewater. This system could be a tool to address the problem. She also noted that the system's design emphasizes operation using renewable energy sources and the production of water suitable for irrigation and industrial uses.

Following the presentation of the system's potential future applications in other industrial sectors, the participating stakeholders were asked for their opinions on favorable conditions and possible obstacles for the operation and commercial exploitation of the proposed system. Their suggestions are expected to be considered in shaping the project's future actions.

The next meeting will take place after the installation of the system at one of Medochemie's facilities and the evaluation of initial results from its operation.