Sustainability is a key concern for industry as the evidence for anthropogenic climate change becomes overwhelming. Decarbonizing and reducing the environmental impact of key sectors, such as the pharmaceutical industry, is key to avoiding the worst effects of the rise in global temperature.
Adopting sustainable practices in the pharmaceutical industry has many benefits and reduces its environmental impact, such as improving efficiency, saving costs, and meeting regulatory requirements.
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Sustainable Practices in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
The drive toward net zero in the dynamic pharmaceutical industry is a priority. To achieve its goals, the sector is investing in green chemistry practices, sustainable waste reduction and management strategies, renewable energy, and water conservation, to name a few areas where interest has piqued in recent years. 1
Green chemistry principles are currently a particular interest within the industry. Unfortunately, the manufacture of many life-saving drugs involves the use of chemicals that can cause environmental damage throughout the manufacturing cycle, including waste production.
Green chemistry principles seek to change this by encouraging less environmentally damaging alternatives.
Replacing carbon-intensive fossil fuels with renewables such as solar and wind can significantly reduce the sector’s carbon footprint and encourage the adoption of more energy-efficient technologies such as advanced HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems.
Whilst a complex series of challenges persist with improving sustainability in the industry, it is currently making strides toward achieving this.
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Waste Reduction and Management
Strategic waste reduction and management can go a long way toward improving sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry.
Adopting the principles of the circular economy, where waste streams are converted into value-added products through reducing, reusing, and recycling, can significantly reduce the industry's environmental impact.2
Aside from adopting circular practices, there is much scope for reducing material use, leading to an overall reduction in pharmaceutical waste.
One example is the efficient design of sustainable packaging. Johnson & Johnson has employed more efficient storage strategies to reduce packaging materials by around 60%. Eco-friendly materials can also improve waste reduction and management. 2
Waste-to-energy strategies, such as using biomass to produce heat and energy, also reduce waste materials and the sector's overall carbon emissions.
Water Conservation
Pharmaceutical manufacturing is incredibly resource-intensive, and the sector is well-known for using vast amounts of water to produce products. Implementing efficient technologies and practices to improve water conservation is a key industry focus area. Pharma companies are exploring strategies such as water recycling and reusing treated wastewater. 2
Johnson & Johnson has made water stewardship a key sustainability aim. The company uses technologies such as upgraded chillers and water treatment utilities, uses alternative technologies in cooling towers to reduce water use, and designs manufacturing cycles with water reuse as a central element.3
Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Supply chains can greatly impact the environment and biodiversity, with factors such as emissions from transport and waste production contributing to a company’s contribution to climate change.
Many natural products are used in the pharma industry. These must be sustainably sourced and maintained to minimize environmental damage. Pharma companies such as Johnson & Johnson are working with suppliers and downstream companies to ensure that supply chains have sustainability built into them. 3
Decarbonizing transportation can also improve supply chain sustainability by replacing fleets of conventional ICE vehicles with greener alternatives such as EVs and using alternative fuels such as biodiesel and hydrogen. Technologies such as AI and machine learning can help improve supply chain efficiency.
Regulatory and Industry Standards
Government regulations and industry standards are crucial to the drive toward net zero and a sustainable economy. Bodies such as the UN, the EU, the EPA, and the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) provide guidelines, regulatory guidance, and oversight for companies in key sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry. Pharma companies need to comply with these organizations.
The EPA, for instance, uses several initiatives to focus on sustainability, such as strategic plans to reduce carbon emissions, incorporating sustainability through engagement and employee training, and considering environmental, social, and economic impacts by taking the “three pillars” approach. Goals include improved waste management and diversion and sustainable procurement.4
Another association, the EFPIA5 (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations), promotes sustainability and reduces environmental damage from pharmaceutical use.
This organization has highlighted the need for a balanced approach to tackling the industry’s ecological impact and is working closely with pharmaceutical manufacturers and other stakeholders.
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Challenges and Solutions
The issue's vast scale and the pharma industry's dynamic nature present huge challenges for companies and stakeholders.
Firstly, intricate supply chains, some elements that may not be as sustainable as others, make sourcing materials challenging.
Transportation is energy-intensive. Achieving transparency in the supply of materials can be complex. To reduce waste, significant process alterations and new technologies must be developed and employed.
High costs associated with new technologies, processes, and sustainable practices can be prohibitive, especially for smaller manufacturers. Additionally, the additional cost burden can impact competitiveness and product pricing. These are just a few examples of the many challenges the sector faces as it endeavours to go green.1
However, there are some solutions. These include strategic partnerships, process optimization and systems engineering tools, sourcing sustainable transportation options, investment in human resources to empower employees and create awareness, and employing new technologies such as AI and IoT to streamline efficiency and reduce costs associated with sustainability.1
Future Directions and Conclusion
As this article shows, sustainability is currently a core consideration for the pharma industry. Emerging trends include employing AI for process optimization and efficient supply chain management, green chemistry, and using biotechnology to create more sustainable products.
The pharma industry invests in strategic awareness to integrate sustainability into manufacturing.
Improving sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry will benefit the environment, public health, and the industry's long-term viability. However, this will only be possible through continued commitment to innovation and making sustainability a central mantra.
References
- Northen, J & McIntosh, J (2023) Striving to be Sustainable: How Can Pharma Manufacturing Go Green? [online] European Pharmaceutical Manufactrurer. Available at: https://pharmaceuticalmanufacturer.media/pharmaceutical-industry-insights/latest-pharmaceutical-manufacturing-industry-insights/striving-to-be-sustainable-how-can-pharma-manufacturing-go-g/ (Accessed on 09 July 2024)
- Williamson, K (2024) Sustainability in Pharma Manufacturing: A Focus on Green Principles [online] Pharma Focus Europe. Available at: https://www.pharmafocuseurope.com/articles/sustainability-in-pharma-manufacturing-a-focus-on-green-practices (Accessed on 09 July 2024)
- Johnson & Johnson (2024) Position on Environmental Stewardship [online] Available at: https://www.jnj.com/about-jnj/policies-and-positions/our-position-on-environmental-stewardship (Accessed on 09 July 2024)
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (2023) EPA Sustainability Plans [online] Available at: https://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/epa-sustainability-plans (Accessed on 09 July 2024)
- https://www.efpia.eu/about-medicines/development-of-medicines/regulations-safety-supply/pharmaceuticals-in-the-environment-pie/
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