Resource efficiency for the pharmaceutical industry
Envirowise recognises that the pharmaceutical industry is unique and implementing resource efficiency can be complicated due to the extensive validation and testing required from products prior to manufacturing.
This is where we can assist your company. We provide free publications and telephone advice to promote resource efficiency, specifically aimed at UK based pharmaceuticals.
Who do we work with?
We work with all types of UK pharmaceutical companies*, from multi-nationals such as AstraZeneca to smaller specialised businesses, to provide advice on resource efficiency and sustainability.
*Certain restrictions may apply in Wales
What are the challenges?
GMP versus Resource Efficiency
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is the pharmaceutical industry's quality assurance process, ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled in conformity with strict quality standards.
Envirowise understands that GMP can often conflict with resource efficiency, but many pharmaceutical companies nevertheless have been able to benefit from resource efficiency both in terms of saving time and money. In some cases, extensive revalidation is required to satisfy the authorities that changes would not cause product contamination issues.
See an example of how to reduce hazardous waste with Shasun Pharmaceuticals.
Responding to legislation
PPC
Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) applies to pharmaceuticals that have manufacturing facilities and operate over a certain scale. Parameters can include (but are not limited to):
- solvent use;
- energy consumption;
- chemical production.
If PPC applies to your company, you will need to show that you are considering the environmental impact of a new drug at the design phase, not just at the end-of-pipe at the manufacturing stage.
Our guide to the principles of Green Chemistry will come in useful during product development when considering the environmental impact at the design phase.
Reducing waste
The pharmaceuticals industry has historically produced a number of waste materials due to the complexity of manufacturing processes, operating at a high waste to product ratio. The industry is also a significant user of solvents, typically in batch chemical operation.
Our guides to managing solvents, VOCs and hazardous waste can help you to save money through resource efficiency and provide guidance on how to respond to environmental/health and safety legislation.
What can you do about it?
Many pharmaceutical companies routinely use the free Envirowise services to save time, money and resources. Our advice is available from downloadable guides and case studies. For more specific questions, call the the Advice Line on 0800 585794.
Remember to sign up for the quarterly Catalyst E-bulletin to stay up-to-date with new guides, tools, events and advice for the chemical and pharmaceutical sector.