Marlene Ågerstrand is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Environmental Science of Stockholm University.
What is your field of expertise?
My research focuses on understanding science-policy interactions in risk assessment and management of chemicals. Aspects of interest include the evaluation and use of data for decision-making, the efficiency of management options, and the role of experts in decision-making.
What do you expect from PREMIER?
High-quality research conducted with society’s needs in focus. For this to happen the researchers need to have a close dialogue with decision-makers and the regulatory community. I expect transparency and openness of data, also from the partners in the pharmaceutical industry. This is important for the credibility and the legacy of PREMIER.
“In the EU, we still lack regulatory test requirements for old pharmaceuticals and consequently, there is a lack of ecotoxicity and environmental fate data. Hopefully PREMIER can reduce that gap.”
Why did you agree to be part of the SAB?
Being part of a reference board is a good way of keeping track of the scientific developments within the research field. I was part of the research program MistraPharma (2008-2015) and I, therefore, have an interest in continuing to learn more about pharmaceuticals in the environment and how these substances are or could be handled in the regulatory system.
What do you think are the current gaps in /your field that PREMIER could fulfil?
In the EU, we still lack regulatory test requirements for “old” pharmaceuticals and consequently, there is a lack of ecotoxicity and environmental fate data. Hopefully PREMIER can reduce that gap. I also expect that the database (may it live long after the program has ended!) and the regulatory guidance documents under development will be valuable for the regulatory community.
How could society at large benefit from the PREMIER products?
These are exciting times when it comes to the management of pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. In the EU, we both have the pharmaceutical strategy and the chemical strategy for sustainability, and this means a golden opportunity to contribute to the development of sustainable management of hazardous substances. I hope that PREMIER will take that chance.
