Raloxifene is a second generation selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that mediates anti-estrogenic effects on breast and uterine tissues, and estrogenic effects on bone, lipid metabolism, and blood coagulation. Exhibiting tissue-specific effects distinct from [estradiol], raloxifene is the first of the benzothiophene group of antiestrogens to be labelled a SERM. Available in many countries worldwide, raloxifene was initially approved by the FDA in December, 1997 under the market name Evista® for the management and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and reduction in risk for invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or those who are at high risk for invasive breast cancer. However, it has a negligible effect on altering the development and progression of breast cancer itself. The most common causes of osteoporosis include postmenopausal deficiency of estrogen and age-related deterioration in bone homeostasis. Due to the risk of bone fractures that may lead to morbidities and reduced quality of life, the management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with the use of therapeutic agents in addition to concurrent therapies is critical. Due to the decline in estrogen levels in postmenopausal osteoporosis, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), such as estradiol, has been used to ameliorate the condition. However, due to the off-target actions by HRT, newer non-hormonal agents such as raloxifene and [tamoxifen] have been developed to reduce adverse events through selective pharmacological actions on tissue-specific therapeutic targets. The main effects of raloxifene are to preserve the bone mineral density and decrease the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Compared to estrogen and tamoxifen, raloxifene was not associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and it does not cause endometrial proliferation. Although rare, there was an increased risk of venous thromboembolism during clinical trials of postmenopausal women receiving raloxifene. In addition, a clinical study consisting of postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for coronary events showed an increased risk for fatal stroke with raloxifene therapy compared to placebo. It is strongly advised that the risk-benefit ratio is considered before starting raloxifene therapy in women at risk of thromboembolic disease or strokes, such as the prior history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, or cigarette smoking.
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Raloxifene
Drug Overview
What is Raloxifene?
Masuu Global provides end-to-end Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) support for pharmaceutical and healthcare products, covering Phase I environmental exposure assessment, Phase II environmental fate and effects assessment, data-gap analysis, testing strategy, laboratory coordination and final regulatory-ready reporting.
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Regulatory Framework
Assessment Methodology
Masuu Global follows a science-based, tiered and risk-based ERA methodology, aligned with applicable international regulatory requirements. For human medicinal products, our approach is primarily guided by the EMA Guideline EMEA/CHMP/SWP/4447/00 Rev. 1, effective 1 September 2024, together with relevant OECD Test Guidelines and regional regulatory requirements.
EMA — Environmental Risk Assessment
Assessment of potential environmental exposure associated with the use, manufacture and disposal of medicinal products, with a structured approach to determine whether further environmental assessment is required.
Phase I — Environmental Exposure Assessment
Initial screening to determine potential environmental exposure, covering PEC calculation, physicochemical properties, usage and dosage data, environmental entry pathways, and persistence and fate considerations.
Phase II — Environmental Fate & Effects Assessment
Where Phase I indicates further assessment is required, Phase II provides detailed evaluation of environmental fate, persistence and ecological effects — including biodegradation, bioaccumulation, aquatic toxicity, PNEC derivation and PEC/PNEC risk characterisation.
OECD & International Testing Principles
Where laboratory studies are required, testing strategies are designed with consideration of relevant OECD Test Guidelines, GLP expectations and applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk-Based Environmental Assessment
Integration of physicochemical data, environmental fate information, ecotoxicological data, existing literature, published studies, regulatory databases, usage data, and environmental monitoring data.
Weight-of-Evidence (WoE) Approach
A scientifically justified WoE approach integrates existing data and avoids unnecessary testing wherever scientifically and regulatorily justified.
ERA Assessment Pathway
Phase I → Phase II → Risk Characterization
Each phase builds on the prior tier — screening first, escalating only when the evidence demands it.
Environmental Exposure Assessment
Initial screening to determine whether the substance requires progression to Phase II.
- Product and substance information review
- Indication, dose and usage assessment
- PEC calculation and environmental exposure estimation
- Physicochemical property review
- Initial environmental risk screening
- Determination of Phase II requirement
Environmental Fate & Effects
Detailed evaluation when Phase I triggers further assessment.
- Biodegradation, hydrolysis & photolysis
- Adsorption/desorption behaviour
- Bioaccumulation potential
- Algal, Daphnia and fish toxicity
- Chronic ecotoxicity, where required
- PEC/PNEC risk characterisation
Laboratory Coordination & Study Execution
When regulatory testing is mandatory, Masuu coordinates with qualified GLP/appropriate testing laboratories and specialized scientific partners — giving clients a single point of contact across the full testing lifecycle.
Final ERA Report — Contents
- Executive summary
- Substance & product information
- Environmental exposure assessment
- Phase I evaluation
- Phase II assessment (where applicable)
- Environmental fate assessment
- Ecotoxicological assessment
- PEC/PNEC calculations
- Risk characterisation
- Data gap evaluation
- Testing rationale
- Risk mitigation considerations
- References and supporting scientific evidence
How We Work
Report Preparation Process
Every ERA follows a structured, tiered workflow designed to deliver scientifically defensible and regulator-ready assessments.
Comprehensive Data Collection
Product, substance, usage, physicochemical, toxicological, environmental and regulatory information collected and reviewed.
Phase I Environmental Screening
Environmental exposure assessment and determination of whether the assessment can conclude at Phase I or requires progression.
Phase II Evaluation
Detailed environmental fate and ecotoxicological assessment when Phase II is triggered.
Data Gap & Testing Strategy
Missing information identified and available alternatives evaluated before recommending additional testing.
Consortium Testing Support
Where testing is mandatory, Masuu coordinates with qualified testing partners through its Consortium Model.
Scientific & Regulatory Review
Integration and critical review of generated and existing data by experienced scientific and regulatory experts.
Final ERA Delivery
Comprehensive ERA report with transparent methodology, scientific rationale, calculations, conclusions and regulatory recommendations.
Ex-Agency Advantage
Why Masuu Global?
Our experienced regulatory and scientific experts bring a practical regulatory perspective — helping clients understand not only what data are required, but why they are required and how regulators may evaluate them.
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