Join PREWAPHARM at Aquarama 2025

Organisatie: PREWAPHARM

Op donderdag 23 oktober 2025 organiseert PREWAPHARM, een Europees project dat zich inzet om watervervuiling door farmaceutica tegen te gaan,  een matchmaking-evenement op de Aquarama Vakbeurs (Brabanthal, Leuven). Experts en stakeholders uit de gezondheidszorg, waterbedrijven, beleid, onderzoek en technologie zoeken samen naar oplossingen voor een van de meest urgente wateruitdagingen van dit moment: medicijnresten in het milieu. Naast technologie voor het verwijderen van de resten uit het afvalwater, is er ook aandacht voor het preventieve luik: hoe voorkomen dat resten van ingenomen geneesmiddelen in het milieu terecht komen?

Dat kan via duurzame apotheekpraktijken. Eelko Hak van de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen presenteert op het symposium een internationale e-learningmodule om studenten, apothekers en voorschrijvende artsen bewust te maken om bij voorkeur milieuvriendelijke medicijnen te kiezen voor behandeling van hun patiënten.

Tijdens Aquarama vindt er ook een sessie plaats over medicijnresten in water. Daarin geeft het Interregproject PREWAPHARM  uitleg over een tweezijdige aanpak aan de bron: duurzaam medicijngebruik én watertechnologische innovaties; en dit binnen én buiten zorginstellingen. Innovatieve zuiveringstechnologieën komen aan bod, en ook een kijk op lokale netwerken die hier op inzetten. 

Dirk Avonts
Hoofdredacteur Huisarts Nu

How can we stop pharmaceutical residues from entering our water systems — and who needs to work together to make that happen?

At Aquarama 2025, PREWAPHARM brings together solution providers and problem owners from across Northwest Europe in an interactive matchmaking event and project presentation. Our mission: accelerate the adoption of proven, practical, and scalable innovations to prevent pharmaceutical pollution at its source.

The programme: insight and interaction

• 9.00-9.45​
  Topic 1: Removal of pharmaceutical residues at the source in healthcare institutions (institutional & department level)
  Topic 3: Mitigating pollution by medicines using sustainable pharmacy practices​
• 10.00-10.45
  Topic 2: Decentralised removal of pharmaceutical residues at small WWTP level​
  Topic 4: Pharmaceuticals in wastewater: new regulatory challenge​
• 11.00-11.45​
  Topic 1: Removal of pharmaceutical residues at the source in healthcare institutions (institutional & department level)
  Topic 4: Pharmaceuticals in wastewater: new regulatory challenge​
• 12.00-12.45​
  Topic 2: Decentralised removal of pharmaceutical residues at small WWTP level
  Topic 3: Mitigating pollution by medicines using sustainable pharmacy practices ​
• 14:00 - 15:00
  Open project presentation at main exhibition area
• 15.10-16.40​
  One-to-one matchmaking​

* Aquarama is kindly providing the lunch

1. Matchmaking sessions on four key topics | All day 
🤝 Register here, join the discussion, and explore opportunities to collaborate.

1. Removal of pharmaceutical residues at the source in healthcare institutions (institutional and department level) / Pieter Jan de Buyck, VITO
   Every day, hospitals and healthcare facilities discharge wastewater containing traces of pharmaceutical compounds — from painkillers and antibiotics to cytostatics. These substances often bypass traditional wastewater treatment plants, ending up in our rivers, lakes, and even drinking water. In this interactive session, problem owners and technology suppliers come together to share needs and spark ideas for on-site removal of pharmaceutical residues, to significantly reduce the environmental impact before wastewater reaches municipal treatment plants.
2. Decentralised removal of pharmaceutical residues at small WWTP level / Koen Rummens, Aquafin
   While large municipal wastewater treatment plants face growing obligations to remove pharmaceutical residues, small-scale treatment plants (WWTPs) and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) often remain outside the regulatory spotlight — yet they can contribute significantly to diffuse pollution. At this discussion table, the needs and possibilities for (low-maintenance) treatment possibilities at small scale WWTPs and combined sewer overflows are explored. Together, we’ll identify bottlenecks, discuss solution pathways, and explore how compact, robust, and low-maintenance technologies can help address pharmaceutical emissions from these diffuse sources.
3. Mitigating pollution by medicines using sustainable pharmacy practices / Eelko Hak, University of Groningen
   Benchmarking pharmacy data can support mitigation strategies for health care providers and regional politicians. An international E-learning module for pharmacy students could further facilitate awareness by the pharmacist of the future being able to make environmentally friendly medicines in case of equal effect. Finally, gaps in incorporation of sustainability aspects in Dutch pharmacies may provide low hanging fruit to mitigate pollution by medicines.
4. Pharmaceuticals in wastewater: new regulatory challenges / Emma Witteveen, RIVM
   This table discussion will focus on upcoming water-related legislation. We will discuss key topics such as the Water Framework Directive and what priority substances mean for water management, and the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, including extended producer responsibility. New developments in PFAS and pharmaceutical legislation will be also mentioned. We will also look at the decision-making framework in the Netherlands for on-site wastewater treatment, and discuss when this approach is useful. The aim is an open and interactive exchange on these regulatory developments.

2. Project presentation during the Aquarama Congress  | 14:00 – 15:00

• The urgency of pharmaceutical pollution in NWE – Dirk Halet (VITO)
• Prioritisation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater – Emma Witteveen (RIVM)
• How PREWAPHARM contributes to solving the problem – Erika Brattinga-Róth (TCNN)
• From pilots to policy: how to ensure broad impact – Eelko Hak (University of Groningen), Pieter-Jan De Buyck (VITO), Jimmy Roussel (LIST)
• Q&A with the audience

 🎯 Why join?

• Connect with peers and potential collaborators across six countries
• Discover emerging solutions and technologies
• Explore opportunities to test, scale or implement removal strategies
• Exchange knowledge and help shape a cleaner, healthier future

🎪 Why Aquarama?
Aquarama is Belgium’s leading trade fair for water technology – and the perfect place to bring together those who need solutions with those who can provide them. PREWAPHARM’s presence offers direct access to both sides of the equation.

📢 Join us
Whether you're a case owner looking for practical answers or a tech innovator seeking to pilot your solution — we’d love to connect with you at Aquarama.