Abacavir
Summary
This summary information comes from Fass.
Persistence. Abacavir is potentially persistent.
Bioaccumulation. Abacavir has low potential for bioaccumulation.
Toxicity. Abacavir has low chronic toxicity.
Risk. The use of abacavir (sales data Sweden 2019) has been considered to result in insignificant environmental risk.
Detailed information
General information about assessment reports
Since 2006, an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) for the active pharmaceutical substance shall accompany an application for a marketing authorisation in EU for a medicinal product for human use. Parts of environmental data can be found in the public investigation report (PAR/EPAR for medicinal product through a centralized procedure). Since the benefit/risk assessment for human medicinal products at present does not include environmental effects, an update of the environmental risk assessment is not required for renewals of marketing authorizations. There is thus no requirement for companies to stay informed about the development of their substances from an environmental point of view and consequently to update the environmental risk assessment as new data are published.
Assessment report
Assessment report for Triumeq (dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine), ViiV Healthcare UK Limited, 26 June 2014, EMA/580654/2014.
Hazard
Persistence: "OECD 301B: DOC = 27 % Primary degradation = 41–94 %. Not ready biodegradable." OECD 308: Not submitted.
Bioaccumulation: Log Dow = 1.20.
Toxicity: There are data for 3 trophic levels, most sensitive crustacean (Ceriodaphnia dubia) NOEC 4 800 microg/L.
Risk
The risk, PEC/PNEC, calculated from data in the assessment report from a European perspective:
PEC = 3.0 microgram/L.
PNEC = Lowest NOEC, 4 800 microg/L/100 (Assessment Factor (AF) for 1 chronic study) = 48 microg/L
PEC/PNEC = 0.0625 which gives the risk insignificant.
"Dolutegravir, abacavir or lamivudine are not PBT substances. Updated Environmental Risk Assessments were provided for acabavir and lamivudine. Dolutegravir is not expected to pose a risk to the environment. The available data do not allow concluding definitively on the potential risk of abacavir or lamivudine to the environment. Additional studies are required, please refer to section 2.3.5. The Applicant will submit the final reports two years following approval." No such information has been found on the EMA's website (2021-10-27).
Fass environmental information
Fass environmental information for Kivexa (abacavir, lamivudine) from GlaxoSmithKline (downloaded 2021-10-27).
Hazard
Persistence: "Abacavir is not readily biodegradable nor inherently biodegradable. The phrase “Abacavir is potentially persistent” is thus chosen."
Bioaccumulation: "Log Dow = 1.20 at pH 7 (OECD 107)."
Toxicity: There are data for 3 trophic levels, most sensitive crustacean (Ceriodaphnia dubia) NOEC 5 600 microg/L.
Risk
PEC/PNEC is based on sales data in Sweden in year 2019. PEC/PNEC = 1.88 x 10-4 wich gives the risk insignificant.
Author: Health and Medical Care Administration, Region Stockholm