Planetary health

Implementing sustainability in practice

In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has significantly expanded its commitment to sustainability, integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations into its core operations, with a particular emphasis on environmental sustainability. This focus is driven by the imperative to mitigate climate change, respond to consumer and regulatory demands for greener practices, and preserve natural resources essential for long-term health and stability (Milanesi et al., 2020). Pharmaceutical companies are specifically aligning their sustainability efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting a holistic approach aimed at fostering positive health and social outcomes while maintaining economic viability in drug development and production (AstraZeneca, 2024).

Pharmaceutical companies are implementing a range of sustainability measures to reduce their environmental footprint, setting ambitious goals such as achieving net-zero carbon emissions, promoting circular economy practices, and striving for plastic neutrality: for examples see these sustainability reports from Orion, Novartis, and Pfizer. These actions include adopting green chemistry principles throughout drug development and production processes (Mishra et al., 2021). Investments in renewable technologies and the prioritisation of waste reduction and recycling programs are also common actions aimed at minimising environmental impact.

Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are commonly used by pharmaceutical companies to simultaneously assess relevant environmental concerns and evaluate the effectiveness of their sustainability measures. However, standard LCA practice primarily focuses on carbon footprint analysis, often overlooking other significant environmental factors. Secondly, the lack of public accessibility and verifiability of these assessments remains a common issue. To ensure the effectiveness of their sustainability actions in truly mitigating environmental impacts, companies must prioritise transparency and comprehensiveness in their assessments and reporting.

On the social side, pharmaceutical companies often highlight their efforts to promote equitable healthcare access and prioritise employee well-being. However, it's important to critically assess these claims. While some initiatives aim to expand access to vital healthcare programs, the affordability of medicines remains a significant challenge for many, particularly in under-served populations. Additionally, investments in training programs for healthcare professionals can enhance delivery but may also serve corporate interests. The intersection of environmental sustainability and social impact in pharmaceutical practices requires deeper scrutiny to assess their true contributions to responsible business practices and community well-being.

Sustainability actions for the healthcare sector

Here are some notable sustainability actions and initiatives within the pharmaceutical sector, highlighting collaborative efforts and joint initiatives:

• PREMIER Initiative: Aims to design a novel information and assessment system for identifying and addressing environmental risks associated with medicines, especially those with limited data availability, through collaboration with pharmaceutical companies.

• Innovative Medicines Initiative: A public-private partnership in health established between the European Union (EU) and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). This partnership is dedicated to discovering and developing urgently needed diagnostics and treatments, such as those for COVID-19.

• Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative: Focuses on defining, implementing, and promoting responsible supply chain principles. This initiative created the Principles for Responsible Supply Chain Management, which articulates industry expectations across five areas of responsible business practice: ethics, labour, health and safety, environment, and management systems.

• PPSWG (Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Working Group): A membership association for pharmaceutical companies, providing infrastructure, guidance, and subject matter expertise to support member compliance and improve awareness of existing pharmaceutical disposal options.

• Sustainable Market Initiative: A coordinated global effort that aims to enable private sector industries, including the pharmaceutical sector, to accelerate the achievement of global climate, biodiversity, and SDG targets.

Regarding end-of-life considerations from medicine use and disposal, pharmaceutical companies are implementing responsible disposal practices and developing environmentally friendly solutions:

• Drug Take-Back Programs: Many pharmaceutical firms collaborate with pharmacies, hospitals, and community organizations to establish drug take-back programs.

• Biodegradable Medications: Research efforts are underway to develop biodegradable medications that break down harmlessly in the environment.

• Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: Pharmaceutical manufacturers adhere to stringent regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical waste disposal, particularly for controlled substances. They ensure compliance with regulations such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) guidelines on controlled substance disposal.

In conclusion, while current sustainability initiatives in the pharmaceutical industry are commendable, they often appear ad hoc. The industry lacks a holistic view of sustainability and an effective assessment system to evaluate the impact of these measures on the overall sustainability of the sector and its products and services. Within this context, the TRANSPHARM project has developed assessment tools and frameworks that address trade-offs between the lifecycle of pharmaceuticals and environmental sustainability, considering social dimensions within the sector, and filling data gaps in environmental impact inventories.