Swedwatch and Swedish Society for Nature Conservation's new report The Health Paradox outlines the human rights and environmental impacts linked to the pharmaceutical industry in Hyderabad, India, one of the world's leading producers of pharmaceuticals. According to the report, many residents suffer from negative health impacts including respiratory problems and skin conditions, as well as decreased access to clean water on which livelihoods depend. 

Despite these risks, Swedwatch says, there is still a lack of transparency and data in the pharmaceutical sector which makes it harder to know how and where drugs are manufactured, hold companies to account as well as assess how widespread pollution caused by pharmaceutical production is globally. While there have been some steps to improve supply chain sustainability, progress remains slow, the report finds. 

The organisations are calling for increased human rights due diligence in the sector, as well as on authorities in the EU to release supply chain information and environmental risk assessments for all products available on their markets. The full report is available below.