In most parts of Europe the pressure is on with regard to carbon and moving towards net zero. This is no longer a “nice-to-do” thing that creates positive PR – it is now a “must-do”. An example is the UK NHS insistence on seeing a company’s carbon reduction plan in order to be considered as a supplier. This is a demonstrable example of an action to ensure the NHS meets its 2040 net-zero carbon goal. Pharma companies need to act!
It’s not just payers, increasingly doctors make decisions that look at efficacy and safety but also the carbon footprint of a medicine (safety to the planet). Drugs within a class can vary widely and there are some excellent support tools (and experts who we know) to help this decision making. In the environment of patient empowerment, the end-user of the medicine is often interested to know and indeed may want to shape the prescribing decision based upon green credentials of a medicine and its supplier.
Fail to act and it will make life tough. Act wisely and communicate it clearly, it could be a competitive edge for you as outlined in our earlier article: Environmental Footprint & Sustainability – explained simply! – Hawk Pharma Consulting ….. Where do I start?
Medicines and manufacturing:
The first focus is on the products we supply and there are some actions that are quick and others that take a little longer. The first step will always be to know where you are:
Measure:
What is the carbon footprint of your product? A simple question on the surface of it but there is no defined boundary.
You can measure the footprint of the raw materials (API and excipients). In some cases (the gaseous part of inhalers and anaesthetics) is the vast majority of the carbon footprint and that alone is measured.
You can include the manufacturing process which includes the factory and the power used within it as well as the raw materials. You may see this referred to as “cradle to gate” and by that it means the point at which it leaves the factory.
You can include the journey from that point – via plane or ship to the country, road to warehouse then wholesaler then pharmacy. Include the patient use and disposal of the packaging at the end (very important to plastic and metal rich drug / device combinations) and you are looking at what is known as “cradle to grave” assessment or, the full Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).
Carbon offset:
In the last article we defined and explained carbon offset. As a reminder, you are not changing the carbon you produce, merely mopping it (or some of it) up afterwards by “offsetting” the carbon. Trees grab the carbon and setting up wind farms avoids fossil fuel use just by way of two common examples.
Why is the measuring point above so important?
- If you have done a full LCA, the cradle to grave assessment, you can offset ALL of the carbon which means you have offset to neutrality or carbon net zero.
- If you measure API and excipients and even the manufacturing process to goods-out bay (cradle to gate) you can offset, which is great, however it cannot be to net zero as you haven’t measured the whole journey.
Carbon reduction:
Carbon offset is relatively quick although it’s challenging to measure and you need to ensure you have the correct process and certificates to prove it, especially if it is to net zero. Carbon reduction moves into the factory and manufacturing process and there are some examples below:
Asthma inhalers are terrible for greenhouse gases and respiratory companies seek to use alternatives like dry powder inhalers and many are developing lower carbon propellants.
Some gaseous anaesthetics are also in the group of high carbon producers and alternatives have been sought.
In our own houses we use insulation and increasingly heat pumps to reduce energy consumption – this reduces carbon. Factories can take similar measures.
Old images of factories show billowing chimneys spewing out visible carbon. Modern factories don’t have chimneys – they are powered by electricity gathered by panels across their rooves.
What if I am not a manufacturer?:
CDMOs
Many of our clients do not manufacture their own medicines. It is more challenging as it is outside your control however:
- CDMOs must be encouraged to take carbon reduction steps.
- CDMOs should work with you to help measure carbon so you can offset it.
What else?:
Every pharma company will rely on a factory somewhere but should we stop there or should we look at our offices and people? In 2024 many people, and the percentage increases with decreasing age, want to work for a company with an environmental focus – it makes employees feel good and it helps people want to join. The ideas for offices are endless so this is just a flavour:
Hybrid working is the best of both worlds – a restoration of work life balance, opportunity to do detailed work in a quiet environment and a chance to collaborate with colleagues. For those employees who travel by car emissions are being saved.
Covered cycle racks and motorbike parking may mean pedal (or small engine) power replaces a car for a few more damp days. Showers at the office and space for cloths encourages cycling (and vigour as the worries about sweating evaporate!)
Modern offices or incorporation of modern design – sure solar panels, insulation and heat pumps. Of course hybrid working may reduce the size of the office that needs heating or air con. Movement activated lights can be painful if you are last in the office but they save hours of lights on when there is no need. LEDs are bright, non-heat producing and low energy.
Paper – how many emails say to consider the environment when printing! There are printers that require sign in and measure the paper use by user. It may be valid to print but measuring it makes people think.
Emails and websites – on line doesn’t produce carbon, right? Wrong! Every person in copy is use of a server. Every attachment means more work for the server. Big heavy images – it’s all carbon from the work of those servers. Copy people if you need to and instead of attaching to all, provide a link. We know experts for API carbon footprint and we know experts who can help with making your digital marketing greener. Just be aware that digital is not 100% green but there are things you can do.
This is absolutely the tip of the iceberg (an apt metaphor if there ever was one!) so get in touch to discuss this more …. let’s book a Zoom call, grab a coffee and chat!