GENEVA — Efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the pharmaceutical sector gained momentum during recent World Health Organization consultations, with regulators, industry representatives and global health organizations calling for coordinated action to lower the environmental impact of medicines while maintaining access, quality and safety, the WHO said on Friday.
According to the WHO, more than 100 participants from over 30 institutions took part in a stakeholder forum held on May 8 examining how regulatory systems can support the transition toward lower-carbon pharmaceutical products. The consultation forms part of the organization's development of a White Paper on the “Greener Pharmaceuticals’ Regulatory Highway,” expected to be published in July.
The meeting brought together regulators, health agencies, procurement organizations, manufacturers, academic experts and global health partners to discuss ways of reducing emissions throughout pharmaceutical supply chains, from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to distribution.
“Climate change and health is a strategic priority for WHO,” Dr. Rogério Gaspar, director of the WHO Department of Regulation and Prequalification, said in remarks released by the organization. “The objective of this initiative is to clarify where regulation currently constrains or slows down decarbonization, identify opportunities for regulatory leadership and flexibility, and build consensus across regulators, industry and global health actors on practical pathways that preserve quality, safety and access.”
Participants identified pharmaceutical manufacturing as a major source of emissions within health-product supply chains. Presentations during the consultation highlighted evidence that a significant share of emissions originates during the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other manufacturing processes, according to the WHO.
Stakeholders also discussed procurement policies as a potential driver of change. The WHO said participants examined how purchasing requirements could encourage suppliers to measure, disclose and reduce emissions while creating incentives for lower-carbon production methods.
The consultation follows a WHO call for action launched in 2024 that urged governments, regulators and manufacturers to adopt more sustainable practices in pharmaceutical production and distribution. The initiative emphasized reducing environmental impacts while safeguarding access to safe and effective medicines.
Participants repeatedly stressed the need for internationally harmonized standards, common methodologies for measuring emissions and closer cooperation among regulators, manufacturers, procurement agencies and health authorities, according to the WHO.
The next stage of the process is scheduled for June 19, when regulatory leaders are expected to meet at a Global Regulators Summit to discuss implementation challenges and priority actions. The WHO said insights from the consultations will be incorporated into the forthcoming white paper, with publication planned for July.
