WHO Pushes For Sustainable Practices In The Global Pharmaceutical Industry

The World Health Organization (WHO), through its Department of Regulation and Prequalification, has launched an initiative called "Greener Pharmaceuticals’ Regulatory Highway". This call of action by WHO addresses the growing environmental impact of the pharmaceutical industry. This initiative highlights the urgent need for innovative regulatory approaches that prioritise sustainability without compromising the safety or effectiveness of medical products.

Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, said in a statement, “Addressing the environmental impact of healthcare products is no longer optional. It is imperative. The transformation of regulatory practices will be pivotal in shaping a pharmaceutical industry that meets today’s health needs without compromising the planet’s future.”

Health systems contribute around 5% of global carbon emissions, and climate change intensifies health challenges worldwide. The WHO calls on regulatory bodies, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare stakeholders to act immediately. The focus is on adopting eco-friendly practices across the industry, from manufacturing to distribution.

Key recommendations in the initiative include:

• Developing new guidelines to encourage sustainable manufacturing, packaging, and use of medicines, ensuring environmental and health benefits go hand in hand.

• Embracing digital transformation to strengthen regulatory systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, through digitised processes and capacity-building.

• Enhancing collaboration between regulators and manufacturers to fast-track the adoption of greener innovations.

The WHO emphasises the importance of cleaner production techniques, redesigned synthetic processes, and investments in renewable energy for pharmaceutical manufacturing. It also calls for increased transparency and accountability in supply chains, alongside implementing sustainable procurement practices, to drive meaningful change.

“Health systems should lead by example in mitigating environmental impact. This initiative will catalyse the global transformation required to align health sector operations with sustainability goals. It represents a critical step toward a greener, healthier future,” said Dr Rogerio Gaspar, WHO Director for Regulation and Prequalification.

This initiative is aligned with frameworks like the WHO Global Strategy on Health, Environment, and Climate Change and global agreements such as the COP28 Declaration. It builds on findings from reports like Unitaid’s 2023 “From Milligrams to Megatons,” which revealed that up to 95% of greenhouse gas emissions for some medicines stem from raw material sourcing and manufacturing. This underscores the pressing need for sustainability-focused research in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and production methods.

To advance these goals, the WHO plans to release a comprehensive white paper on sustainable regulatory practices, which will serve as the foundation for discussions at a global summit in late 2025. This event will bring together public health experts, regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical leaders, and procurement agencies to drive transformative actions that create lasting environmental change across the pharmaceutical sector.