The FAU expired drug initiative (FAU EDI) – recovery of APIs from expired drugs to support research and teaching in Europe

Lochschmidt L, Winter E, Kuschow M, Roggenhofer A, Heinrich M (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy Elsevier

Book Volume: 52

Article Number: 102463

DOI: 10.1016/j.scp.2026.102463

Abstract

The FAU Expired Drug Initiative (FAU EDI) focuses on the recovery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from expired drugs or unused medicines for later application as research chemicals, reference compounds or for teaching purposes. Expired drugs are collected via pharmacies, hospitals, wholesalers, landfill sites and industrial companies. The aims of the initiative include the increase of general public responsibility in the handling of expired drugs, the reduction of pharmaceutical waste, as well as the development of reliable methods for the recovery of highly pure APIs from expired drugs, thus promoting sustainability in pharmaceutical research. Within the initiative, more than 75 APIs have been recovered in high purity and are now available for the above-mentioned purposes throughout Europe.

Authors with CRIS profile

Lena Lochschmidt Professur für Pharmazeutische Chemie Meret Kuschow Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Chemie Anna Pirzer Professur für Pharmazeutische Chemie Markus Heinrich Professur für Pharmazeutische Chemie

Involved external institutions

Umweltbundesamt (UBA) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Lochschmidt, L., Winter, E., Kuschow, M., Roggenhofer, A., & Heinrich, M. (2026). The FAU expired drug initiative (FAU EDI) – recovery of APIs from expired drugs to support research and teaching in Europe. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2026.102463

MLA:

Lochschmidt, Lena, et al. "The FAU expired drug initiative (FAU EDI) – recovery of APIs from expired drugs to support research and teaching in Europe." Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy 52 (2026).

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