Pharmacists and all staff working in association with the pharmacy teams have a crucial role in addressing the climate emergency by promoting sustainable practices in healthcare. As medication experts, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to advocate for the responsible use of medicines, reduce pharmaceutical waste, and minimise the environmental impact of healthcare. Climate change poses significant risks to public health, including the spread of diseases, disruptions to supply chains, and increased demand for healthcare services. By adopting sustainable practices, pharmacists can help mitigate these risks. This ensures a more resilient healthcare system and contributes to a healthier, more sustainable future for communities worldwide.
GHP Sustainability Strategy 2024 – 2026
We’re interested in working with our members to shape our strategy, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the current Chair of Sustainability Minna Eii and Vice Chair of Sustainability Doha Ben-Hamed at sustainability@ghp.org.uk
Key policies to note:
- England – Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service’ report
- Scotland – NHS Scotland climate emergency and sustainability strategy: 2022-2026
- Wales – NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan
Pharmacy organisational policies:
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Sustainability Policies
- General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Carbon net zero action plan for sustainable
- pharmacy regulation
- FIP Statement of Policy – Environmental Sustainability within Pharmacy
Partners
European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP)
In 2023, the EAHP Sustainability Working Group has been set up after a proposition from GHP at the General Assembly in 2022. Barry Melia (previous GHP Chair of Sustainability) and Minna Eii currently co-chairs the working group with its first report published in EAHP General Assembly June 2024.
The 28th EAHP Congress 2024 is sustainability themed with plenty posters published on their website outlining audits, research and innovative ideas how sustainability has been embedded in pharmacy practice and operations. Both GHP Chair and Vice Chair of Sustainability have been invited to speak at the event.
The 2024 EAHP position paper on procurement has embedded sustainability.
Resources:
Training courses:
- Sustainability Leadership for Greener Health and Care Programme – NHS Leadership Academy
- Courses from the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH)
- Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare – elearning for healthcare
- CPPE – Environmental sustainability
UK based:
- RPS Greener Pharmacy Toolkit – link TBC
- Pharmacy Declares
- Greener PCPA (Primary Care Pharmacy Association)
- Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Pharmacy Network
- RCGP Net Zero Hub: Green Impact for Health Toolkit
- Medicines waste campaign – NHS Dorset
- Environment – Learn With Unite
- Greener Practice
International:
Archived GHP documents: