NMS 2023 - Session 3: Carbon footprint of medicines

What can be done to reduce carbon footprint of medicines and minimise pharmaceutical waste?
Most people might not guess but pills (or creams, patches, and inhalers, for that matter) have a big impact on the environment. Within our health care system, medicines are one of the largest line-item contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, pharmaceutical waste throughout the global supply chain can lead to environmental, human and animal toxicities, and in the case of antibiotic residues, to antimicrobial resistance (aka “superbugs”).
Many of these medicines are lifesaving, offering us enormous benefits and healthier lives when taken correctly. But with some thought, there may be a few things we can do to reduce their carbon footprint and minimise pharmaceutical waste, while keeping good health front and centre.
This session will focus on greener pharmaceuticals and practical ways to reducing carbon footprint across the medicine lifecycle (from manufacturing to waste disposal) while maintaining appropriate care.
This webcast is relevant for health professionals (GP’s, Pharmacists Nurses), consumer representatives, consumers, health policy, decision makers, managers, healthcare stakeholder representatives, industry representatives.
Hosted by Ms Tegan Taylor, ABC journalist and broadcaster with keynote speakers that include:
- Associate Professor Alpana Mair, Head of Effective Prescribing and Therapeutics, Scottish Government and Senior Consultant, WHO
- Dr Forbes McGain, Anaesthetist and Intensive Care Physician, Western Health, Melbourne and Associate Professor, Sustainable Healthcare, University of Melbourne
- Dr Valeria Stoynova and Dr Celia Culley, CASCADES, Centre for Sustainable Health Systems
- Dr Eugenie Kayak, Doctors for the Environment Australia
- Ms Grace Wong, Pharmacists for the Environment Australia
- Mr James Katte, Senior Project Officer, ACSQHC
Learning outcomes:
- Gain insights about practical tools and resources to address medicine safety, polypharmacy, inappropriate prescribing and sustainability
- Understand the carbon footprint of pharmaceuticals and the impact of different sources of healthcare waste
- Gain insights about practical opportunities for reducing medicines and healthcare waste generated across the medicine lifecycle
- Understand international initiatives and experiences around sustainable inhaler use and practical approaches to reduce the carbon footprint of inhalers
- Understand individual and system level initiatives health services, clinicians and consumers can adopt to support appropriate waste management of medicines and appropriate care
00:00:56 - Sustainability in medicines as a global priority
00:17:34 - The carbon footprint of pharmaceuticals: Why is QUM so important?
00:33:41 - Climate-conscious care of respiratory diseases
00:47:48 - Panel Discussion: What can be done to reduce carbon footprint of medicines and minimise pharmaceutical waste?
01:17:55 - Interactive Q&A Session: Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience Healthcare Module in development