German study finds most PFAS medicines could be swapped for safer alternatives

A study commissioned by Germany's Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and conducted by the University of Freiburg examined 111 human and 28 veterinary drug substances that contain per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The researchers determined that 87 % of the human‑medicine PFAS compounds and 65 % of the veterinary ones have existing PFAS‑free alternatives that can be used for the same therapeutic indications. The analysis showed that the fluorinated groups are not required for the drugs' medical efficacy, and replacing them could considerably reduce PFAS release into water and soil. UBA plans to incorporate the findings into a new drug index to help physicians choose environmentally friendlier medications.

Separately, experts highlight the analytical challenge posed by the more than 10 000 known PFAS compounds. Conventional LC‑MS/MS methods detect only a limited subset of these substances. Summation parameters such as AOF, EOF and TOF, measured by combustion ion chromatography, can capture a broader spectrum of PFAS residues, improving monitoring and regulatory oversight.