The pharma sector happens to be one of the most resource intensive verticals. The processes when it comes to manufacturing, packaging, as well as distributing the meds consume a massive amount of water, energy, as well as raw materials. As a matter of fact, a study in 2019 went on to find out that the worldwide pharma sector happens to be responsible for more than 50% of the emissions as compared to the automotive sector. That’s indeed quite a number.
Why sustainability is important in pharmaceuticals
The fact is that sustainability is not just about being eco-friendly, it is also about making sure of a future in healthcare. There is not a shred of doubt whatsoever that a cleaner environment goes on to support better health outcomes for everybody. After all, how in the world can one go on to promote health and wellness if the methods that are being used to manufacture lifesaving drugs happen to be damaging the environment.
The challenges pertaining to the environment in the industry
Numerous key challenges go on to face the pharma sector when it comes to sustainability.
Generation of waste – Pharma manufacturing goes on to produce quite a massive amount of waste, which includes toxic chemicals as well as non-biodegradable packaging. Ideal disposal of such a waste is indeed critical so as to safeguard contamination of the environment.
Usage of water and pollution – The sector goes on to consume a massive quantity of water that happens to be used in the process of drug production. Pollutants like APIs go on to often find their way inside the water bodies, thereby affecting the ecosystems as well as potentially causing harm in the long term.
Consumption of Energy – The pharma sector happens to depend quite heavily on energy when it comes to research, development, as well as manufacturing. The carbon footprint that’s associated with this kind of energy use is indeed pretty steep, thereby contributing to global warming as well as climate change.
Emissions from Supply Chain – The globalized nature when it comes to this sector goes on to mean that the supply chains happen to stretch throughout the continents, therefore contributing towards carbon emissions all across logistics as well as transportation.
So, how can the pharma sector go on to adopt practices that are sustainable?
Transitioning to sustainable practices needs a commitment as well as innovation, and the fact is that the rewards that happen to tag along are immense, not only in terms of decreasing environmental harm but at the same time enhancing efficiency as well as public perception.
Green Chemistry – This kind of approach goes on to focus in terms of designing drugs as well as processes that happen to minimize the usage and production as far as hazardous substances are concerned. The principles of green chemistry happen to lower the waste and also the energy consumption and, in a way, go on to create products that are safer.
Packaging that’s sustainable – Decreasing the dependence on single use plastics and looking out for biodegradable as well as recyclable materials is indeed a must. Organizations happen to be increasingly embracing eco-friendly packaging solutions so as to minimize waste.
Efficient energy – Putting in place energy-saving tech as well as renewable energy sources can go on to enormously slash the sector’s carbon footprint. Solar, wind as well as other green energy sources happen to be more common when it comes to pharmaceutical production.
Stewardship in water – Practices pertaining to water conservation, such as better water management systems, can indeed decrease the amount of water that gets used during the production. Making sure to treat wastewater in the way it should right before releasing it into the environment is indeed essential to safeguarding from pollution.
Supply chains that are sustainable – By way of sourcing the raw materials locally, making utmost usage of transportation routes, and working along with suppliers who happen to give sustainability priority, pharma companies can indeed go on to lessen the environmental effect of the supply chain.
Advantages of sustainable practices when it comes to pharma
Apart from the environmental benefits that are pretty obvious, the sustainable practices within the pharma sector go on to offer many other advantages-
Saving costs – Sustainable practices can lead to less cost in operations by way of decreased wastage, consumption of energy, and also raw material use.
Enhanced public image – Consumers happen to be increasingly giving priority to the brands that are environmentally conscious. Companies that go on to embrace environmentally sustainable practices within the pharma sector can go on to elevate their reputation and at the same time also attract new customers.
Compliances pertaining to regulatory elements – Governments all across the world happen to be introducing environmental regulations that are stricter. By way of embracing sustainable practices, one can ensure compliance as well as avoid any kind of penalty.
Communities that are healthier – At the end of the day, through decreasing pollution as well as conserving resources, the pharma sector helps in creating environments that are healthier, hence contributing to health outcomes in a better way.
Ending Note
The fact is that sustainability when it comes to the pharmaceutical sector is no longer an option but a requirement, and that is too urgent. As climate change paces up and there is a scarcity of natural resources, the need when it comes to sustainable practices is primary. Through embracing green chemistry as well as other elements, pharmaceutical companies can indeed massively go on to decrease their environmental impact while at the same time making sure of the consistent availability of medications that are lifesaving. Healthcare’s future completely depends upon the health of the planet. In case one works towards sustainability, it is not just the environment that’s getting preserved but at the same time making sure that future generations happen to have access to the medicines they require for a world that can help in supporting their well-being.
Now is the time for the pharmaceutical companies to lead the change and move towards a greener as well as a healthier future for all.
