With increasing concern over the environmental pollution caused by the drug manufacturers, the department of pharmaceuticals is looking into the possibility of bringing a law to measure antibiotics in effluents and launching a number of measures to promote cleaner technology.

The Environment Cell in the department has collected inputs from the industry on the measures taken and coordinating with the Ministry of Environment to facilitate the process of environmental compliance. As there are no separate norms for measurement of antibiotics in the existing laws, the department is looking into the possibility of including them in the current legislation for more effective measurement of antibiotics, sources said.

The department will source the latest technologies from the developed countries to help the companies deal with hazards in the pharma sector, besides launching a series of seminars, symposia and other means to disseminate awareness on the issue.

"Collect, collate and assimilate data covering on the latest technology for effluent treatment and disaster management will be among the main objectives of the Cell. It will try and build partnerships with the Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Central and State Pollution Control Boards to facilitate the process of environmental compliance for the sector. Efforts will be made to promote cleaner technologies among the firms," an official in the department said.

The department will work jointly with the Environment Ministry to devise schemes for promotion of environment-friendly processes and would play consultative and advisory role for the norms concerning the pharma industry. It is also suggested that environmental compliance must be made part of good management practices and sterner regulation should be in place to check the pollution.

The department has collected inputs from the industry to push the environmental cause further. The suggestions included setting up permanent mechanism for greater dissemination of information among stakeholders, conducting mass spectroscopy and liquid chromatography as part of legislation, common centres for small scale units, promotion of green processing, sops for those implementing 'zero discharge' norms, funds for cleaner technologies.