[An overview of environmental pharmacoepidemiology].

Abstract

Environmental pharmacoepidemiology (EPE) is an emerging interdisciplinary field developed to address the health challenges arising from the complex interactions between environmental factors and drug effects. This paper systematically introduces the definitions, core research domains, methodological framework, and public health significance of EPE. The field's primary objective is to integrate data on environmental exposures and drug utilization to evaluate how the environment influences the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, as well as the potential impacts of drugs on the environment. By leveraging exposomics, phenome-wide data, and real-world big data, while applying advanced statistical methods like propensity scores and multilevel models, EPE facilitates a deeper investigation into the intricate "environment-drug-health" nexus. While facing challenges such as dynamic exposure assessment, poorly understood interaction mechanisms, and statistical modeling limitations, future advancements in EPE will provide crucial scientific support for achieving precision medicine and advancing the synergistic governance of environmental health.