Sustainable Pharmacy: Reducing Waste and Environmental Impact

When you hear the word “Pharmacy”, what comes to your mind? For most people, a pharmacy symbolizes a place to purchase medicines. Well, pharmacy goes way beyond that definition. It is a broad concept that encompasses research, development, service, community well-being, and more. In short, it is a cornerstone of healthcare.

Pharmacists play a critical role in the healthcare world. They collaborate with other healthcare professionals to optimize the use of medication, provide awareness, educate patients, prevent the spread of diseases, and promote health.

Sustainable Pharmacy: An Emerging Solution

Sustainable Pharmacy is emerging as a comprehensive framework that combines green laboratory practices, plant-based research, biodegradable nanotechnology, responsible drug-disposal education, recyclable and eco-friendly packaging, and industry-wide collaboration to reduce healthcare’s environmental footprint.

By incorporating micro-scale, solvent-conserving experiments, investigating herbal formulations and biodegradable polymer-carriers, and teaching safe take-back procedures for unneeded medicines, we may show that scientific excellence and environmental stewardship are compatible.

A curriculum that incorporates eco-pharmacovigilance and antimicrobial stewardship, as well as campus programs like tree planting, produces clinicians who heal both people and the environment. Community outreach strengthens these initiatives, while faculty-student research advances the field of green therapies. Together, these integrated policies provide an outline for a pharmaceutical sector dedicated to protecting public health without jeopardizing the planet’s future.

What is ‘Sustainable Pharmacy’?

Sustainable Pharmacy is when environmental, economic, and social sustainability principles are incorporated into pharmaceutical practices. It is aimed at lowering the environmental impact and promoting the ethical use of medications. It is essential to consider waste segregation, recycling, energy efficiency, eco-friendly packaging, economic factors, best inventory management practices, patient education, community engagement, etc.

By embracing sustainable pharmacy practices, pharmacists not only create a healthier planet but also reduce operational costs and promote equitable healthcare access!

Sustainable Pharmacy: The Need

According to the 2023 World Air Quality Report by IQAir, which included more than one hundred and thirty countries, India was found to be the third most polluted country globally, after Bangladesh and Pakistan. The average annual PM2.5 concentration was more than 54 µg/m³. As per the World Health Organization’s guidelines, the figure should not be higher than 5 µg/m³.

Also, 42 of the world’s 50 most polluted cities were in India. The top name was Begusarai in Bihar, with a PM2.5 concentration of 119 µg/m³. Delhi, the capital city, had an average PM2.5 level of 93 µg/m³.

These elevated pollution levels necessitate urgent intervention through effective sustainability practices. It is vital to consider sustainability in pharmacy to lower the negative environmental impact and improve the respiratory and cardiovascular health of the people.

Sustainable Pharmacy: An Effective Solution

Well, it doesn’t require something out of the ordinary to fix. The solution to pharmaceutical waste lies within the industry itself. There are already plenty of eco-friendly solutions at our disposal, the key is for the industry to normalize and actively implement them.

 

1. Greener Laboratories, Smarter Learning

Good laboratory procedures aim to reduce chemical waste by implementing green chemistry concepts. Institutions prioritize micro-scale experiments, solvent recycling, and the adoption of safer alternatives. This not only protects student safety but also contributes to minimizing the environmental impact of pharmaceutical education.

2. Herbal Science and Natural Healing

The program actively supports research into plant-based formulations and natural medications. Exploring ancient knowledge alongside modern science enables us to create eco-friendly remedies that are both effective and sustainable. These activities contribute to biodiversity conservation and minimize dependency on synthetic chemicals.

3. Responsible Medicine Disposal

Pharmaceuticals that fail to be properly disposed of contaminate water systems and soil. The students educate communities about safe drug disposal techniques and the value of pharmaceutical take-back programs through awareness campaigns and public outreach.

4. Recyclable and Eco-Friendly Packaging

Packaging plays a crucial role in pharmaceutical sustainability. Traditional plastic-based packaging materials often take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to the global pollution crisis. We advocate for research of biodegradable, recyclable, and eco-friendly alternatives that break down more safely and quickly.

Transitioning to sustainable packaging must go beyond being a trend it should become a standard industry practice. By reducing our dependency on plastics, we not only lower landfill burden but also protect ecosystems and human health. Academic institutions play a vital role in this transformation by encouraging students to explore packaging innovations that are functional, affordable, and environmentally sound.

5. Collaborative Industry Efforts

It is important to achieve sustainable pharmacy when there is collaboration across the value chain. All the pharma companies, suppliers, academia, and industry peers collectively innovate, devise, and share best practices. For example, the companies can assess suppliers’ environmental performance, set sustainability standards, plan eco-friendly initiatives, etc., like

Sun Pharma: Reducing water and energy use, promoting recycling, and supporting health and education.

Dr. Reddy’s: Using green chemistry, cutting carbon emissions, and managing waste responsibly.

Cipla Foundation: Running eco-friendly manufacturing practices and community development programs.

Lupin: Creating sustainable packaging and helping improve healthcare access.

Biocon: Working to reduce pollution and use renewable materials while supporting education and conservation

6. Eco-Conscious Supply Chains and Logistics

The institution highlights the importance of sustainability beyond manufacturing, which includes eco-friendly transportation, energy-efficient warehousing, and record digitization to reduce paper waste. Sustainable supply chains can considerably minimize the carbon footprint associated with medicinal distribution.

7. Educating for a Sustainable Tomorrow

The academic programs address significant issues like eco-pharmacovigilance, antimicrobial resistance control, and green healthcare approaches. By incorporating these subjects into the curriculum, the institution aims for students to make well-informed ethical decisions in their careers.

8. Community Engagement for Environmental Health

Sustainability begins at the grassroots level. Through NSS units, health camps, and outreach initiatives, students promote awareness about responsible medicine use, safe disposal methods, and the significance of environmental conservation in health.

9. Research with Impact

From eco-friendly excipients to new medicine delivery methods, we are dedicated to research that heals with minimal harm. This study, by distributing findings through journals and conferences, not only contributes to academic advancement but also aims to make healthcare more environment-friendly.

 

Final Dose

The need for sustainability is not just limited to saving trees and cleaning rivers anymore. It is also about reshaping how the pharmacy industry operates. Sustainable practices in pharmacy can tremendously safeguard public health and make this world a healthier place to live!

Want to contribute your bit? Join the School of Pharmacy at Indira University, Pune (Wakad), earlier Indira College of Pharmacy, and thrive in your Pharma career. This is not just the place where future pharmacists are trained, but we empower you to excel in the evolving healthcare landscape and put sustainable practices into action.