Environmental sustainability is essential in pharmacy due to its significant impact on public health and the ecosystem. Pharmacies are integral to the management and distribution of medications, which can have environmental consequences at every stage – from production to disposal. By adopting sustainable practices in their operations, such as minimising waste generation, reducing energy consumption, and utilising eco-friendly packaging, pharmacists can significantly lower impact of pharmaceuticals and promote sustainable behaviors such as proper medication disposal and eco-conscious prescribing. Furthermore, by promoting environmentally sustainable practices, pharmacies contribute to mitigating pollution and protecting biodiversity, ultimately safeguarding the health and well-being of current and future generations.
•Aim: The overall aim of the programme is to empower pharmacists to play a pivotal role in advancing environmental sustainability within healthcare.
Objectives:
1. Increase awareness among pharmacists about their critical role in protecting the environment and mitigating the health impacts of climate change through education, training, and professional development.
2. Establish a network for experts and pharmacy-led sustainability initiatives to foster collaboration, share best practices, and facilitate growth in environmental sustainability efforts.
3. Promote and support the development of policies focused on environmental sustainability within the pharmacy sector, ensuring alignment with global environmental goals and healthcare regulations.
4. Champion the pharmacy profession by advocating for sustainability initiatives at national, regional, and global levels, ensuring that pharmacists are recognised as key contributors to environmental health and climate action.
FIP has always recognised the responsibility of the profession towards the environment as well as the role of pharmacists in mitigating the health impacts of environment-related diseases. Examples of our work include a Call to Action to mobilise pharmacists to mitigate the impact of air pollution on health, and a report on green pharmacy practice. In 2021, FIP has taken a step forward in formally recognising the role of pharmacists in the fight against climate change, the single biggest single threat facing us all. We sent a letter to COP26 leaders, making clear our commitment on tackling climate change through pharmacy and raising the visibility of pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacy educators in this endeavour. FIP also signed the Healthy Climate Prescription, an open letter from over 450 organisations representing more than 45 million healthcare workers coming together to call for action to address the climate crisis, including building climate resilient, low-carbon, sustainable health systems and ensuring that pandemic recovery investments support climate action and reduce social and health inequities.
CPD Bites
Global perspectives and initiatives on safe medicines disposal (CPD Bite)
Digital events
Climate change and respiratory health: Bridging gaps for a healthier future
World Environment Day: Advancing pharmacy for a more sustainable world
Safe disposal of medicines: A helpful solution for our planet
Ethics of Sustainable Healthcare
2023 Campaign on World Water Day
2024 World Environment Day Campaign Videos
- Andrea Contreras, Quimica Farmacéutica, Uruguay
- Carolina Chamorro, Quimica Farmacéutica, Paraguay
- Ciao Lin Huang, Pharmacist, Kaoshiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
- Gustavo Saenz, Pharmacists, founder of Punto Seguro, Costa Rica
- Humberto Martins, coordinator of the Working Group on sustainability, Portuguese Pharmaceutical Society, Portugal
- Javier Plaza, Community pharmacist, Spain
- Maram Shtaya, Graduate Student at Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Minna Eii, Advanced Pharmacist Practitioner, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, United Kingdom
- Rakhi Aggarwal, Senior Prescribing Adviser, Medicines Management and Optimisation, NHS Birmingham and Solihull, United Kingdom
KNMP Netherlands – Green Pharmacy Toolkit
This toolkit, developed by the Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association (KNMP), offers essential guidelines for a sustainable and green approach in the pharmaceutical sector.
Originally available in Dutch, the toolkit is now also provided in English to reach a broader audience.
Green Pharmacy – Groene Apotheek KNMP
WHO – Communicating on climate change and health: Toolkit for health professionals
While climate change is a big threat to health, implementing solutions to address climate change presents a huge opportunity to promote better health and protect people from climate-sensitive diseases. Communicating the health risks of climate change and the health benefits of climate solutions is both necessary and helpful. Health professionals are well-placed to play a unique role in helping their communities understand climate change, protect themselves, and realize the health benefits of climate solutions. This WHO toolkit aims to help health professionals effectively communicate about climate change and health: Toolkit link
Mind shift, green lift: Six behavioural science trends for environmental policy – OECD Public Governance Policy Papers
Human behaviour is central to the green transition: achieving a sustainable, low-carbon economy requires behavioural changes from individuals, businesses and governments. Governments play a pivotal role in driving these changes and fostering sustainable behaviours across the economy. This policy paper identifies six key trends illustrating how behavioural science is shaping public policy to accelerate the green transition. Drawing on over 100 case studies, it provides policymakers with a practical roadmap to integrate behavioural science into environmental policy. The trends include embedding behavioural science throughout the policy cycle, assessing public acceptability of green reforms, enhancing citizen participation in environmental policies, strengthening resilience against climate misinformation and increasing demand for sustainable goods and services. Document link
Scientific article – A Scoping Review of Planetary Health Education in Pharmacy Curricula
While still limited, international efforts to integrate planetary health into pharmacy education are growing. This review provides a framework to guide discussions on core competencies for pharmacy curricula. Article link
