Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a looming pandemic necessitating urgent intervention to avoid potentially catastrophic consequences. The injudicious employment of antimicrobials in the human, animal and environmental sectors is one of the key factors driving AMR. The environment plays a pivotal role for AMR through transfer of resistance genes from environmental microbes to pathogenic species and selection of resistant organisms in the presence of antimicrobial contamination of soil and waterbodies. This in turn may result in the unintended exposure of both human and animal populations to these resistant microbial strains, independently of direct antimicrobial consumption.

Furthermore, pharmaceutical industrial effluents, containing antimicrobial residues, emerge as potential conduits for the introduction of such substances into the environment. Research conducted across diverse geographical contexts, encompassing nations such as India, has substantiated the presence of substantial quantities of antibiotic remnants (ARs) within pharmaceutical effluents (PE). Notably, prevailing regulatory frameworks, both at the national and international levels, lack definitive guidelines pertaining to the effluent treatment for antibiotics or acceptable levels of ARs in effluents. It is noteworthy that pharmaceutical effluents house non-biodegradable organic compounds, exerting pronounced ecotoxicity on aquatic ecosystems and human well-being. 60-80% of prescription drugs are excreted and end up in wastewater treatment plants and the environment.

India's pharmaceutical sector holds the 3^rd spot globally in terms of production volume and ranks 14^th in terms of production value. Notably, it stands as the primary global source of generic medications. The comprehensive involvement of the Indian pharmaceutical market spans across all stages of production, encompassing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Pharmaceutical Formulation Intermediates (PFI), and Finished Dose Products (FDP). This industry landscape comprises over 3000 pharmaceutical enterprises, spanning varying sizes from small-scale to medium, large, and multinational corporations.

However, a significant concern arises from the discharge of effluents containing substantial antibiotic concentrations from pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. This discharge leads to the contamination of rivers and lakes, with the Musi River in Hyderabad being a striking example. This southern Indian city, housing almost 10 million residents, witnesses the Musi River turning into a chemical-laden watercourse due to untreated wastewater disposal from the pharmaceutical sector.

India is a major producer of 34 cost-effective antibiotics and other medications destined for the global market, including Europe, with this trend on the rise. A growth rate of 10-12% projects the Indian pharmaceutical industry to achieve sales nearing US$130 billion by 2030. However, the repercussions for society and the environment come at a steep cost. The country faces the dual challenge of being severely affected by climate change while heavily relying on rainfall. Simultaneously, water quality deteriorates due to significant pollution, where the pharmaceutical industry emerges as a notable contributor. Recent investigations highlight the presence of pharmaceutical residues in Hyderabad's lakes, rivers, and wells. While the measured pharmaceutical concentrations ranged from 90 to 31,000 μg dm^-3, the cumulative and long-term exposure to these compounds may lead to chronic effects.

In 2018, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) of India expressed concerns regarding the contamination of water sources by antibiotics and urged the environment ministry to establish and enforce stringent regulations for the proper disposal and effective treatment of antibiotic waste. The Indian Ministry of Environment categorized all pharmaceutical manufacturers as 'red category,' indicating their release of toxic and hazardous pollutants into the environment. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India responsible for overseeing environmental compliance, has been assigned the task of setting limits for the discharge of antibiotic waste from production processes. Traditional wastewater treatment facilities have shown limited efficiency in eliminating pharmaceutical residues, primarily due to the presence of complex active organic compounds that resist breakdown. Furthermore, antibiotics present in pharmaceutical effluents have been found to be detrimental to the microorganisms within treatment plants, thereby diminishing overall treatment efficiency.

Recent shifts in Indian legislation are amplifying the pressure on pharmaceutical manufacturers to adopt appropriate practices in drug production. One such initiative is the proposed implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) specifically for the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and bulk drugs. This approach focuses on mitigating the emergence of multi-resistant bacteria. Additionally, forthcoming regulations will mandate industries with problematic effluents to undergo Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment before discharging wastewater. The incorporation of AOP in wastewater treatment would enable the Indian pharmaceutical industry to safely release treated wastewater post the drug manufacturing process. In alignment with broader environmental goals, the Indian government has outlined a target of achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by 2070. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are now required to submit plans outlining strategies for reducing their carbon emissions. The technology addressed in this project will effectively support the implementation of the government's targets.

The main target sectors are the pharmaceutical, chemical and textile industry as well as wastewater treatment plants.