THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY'S ROLE IN THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY MOVEMENT - Aptar
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Noble
THE PHARMACEUTICAL
INDUSTRY’S ROLE IN THE
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY MOVEMENT
In this article, Alex Catino, Product Commercialisation Associate at Noble, discusses
current trends in the pharmaceutical industry in relation to environmental
sustainability in healthcare.
Environmental sustainability is a broad, first Conference on the Human Environment,
expansive concept that can apply which is widely considered one of the earliest
to everything from agriculture and global meetings to discuss the environment,
manufacturing to building design. But how conservation and sustainability.2 In
is it defined? the early 1990s, “green brands” began
The United States Environmental to emerge, with companies using their
Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental and sustainable business
sustainability based on an overarching practices as selling points for consumers.
principle: “Everything that we need for By 2012, sustainability had cemented itself
our survival and well-being depends, in the collective conscience of consumers
either directly or indirectly, on our natural and companies alike, with corporate social
environment. To pursue sustainability is to responsibility (CSR) and triple bottom line
create and maintain the conditions under reports that measure financial, social and
which humans and nature can exist in environmental performance emerging as
productive harmony to support present and standard responses to that consciousness.3
future generations.”1
The creation of the EPA in 1970 is one ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
of many inflection points that sparked the IN HEALTHCARE
modern global environmental movement.
In 1972, the United Nations (UN) held the The WHO defines an environmentally
sustainable health system as one that
“improves, maintains or restores health,
Alex Catino
while minimising negative impacts on the Product Commercialisation Associate
“Within the healthcare environment and leveraging opportunities T: +1 888 933 5646 ext 170
sector, environmental to restore and improve it, to the benefit E: acatino@gonoble.com
of the health and well-being of current
sustainability involves
and future generations.”4 Most importantly, Noble
using resources as human health is inextricably linked to the 121 South Orange Avenue
efficiently as possible, health of the environment, according to the Suite 1070
Australian Medical Association.5 Orlando
without compromising the FL 32801
Within the healthcare sector,
United States
quality of patient care.” environmental sustainability involves using
resources as efficiently as possible, without www.gonoble.com
44 www.ondrugdelivery.com Copyright © 2020 Frederick Furness Publishing Ltd
Noble
A member company of the World Business
Council for Sustainable Development,
“A major sustainability issue confronting the healthcare sector
Aptar also recently joined the UN Global
today is the number of hospitals that are ageing, meaning Compact – the world’s largest citizenship
their technologies and systems are becoming outdated.” initiative, which focuses on universal
principles in the areas of human rights,
labour, the environment and anti-
compromising the quality of patient care. and sustainability in mind. In a 2018 corruption. “We are extremely proud of
Strategies that can foster environmental Pharma Manufacturing article on achieving [our] commitment to reducing [Aptar’s]
sustainability within this sector are sustainability in an evolving pharma impact on the planet while creating quality
promoting efficient management of resources sector, Tom Egan, Vice-President, Industry products,” said Stephan Tanda, Aptar
and increasing sustainable procurement. Services, PMMI, said: “Pharmaceutical President and CEO.
A major sustainability issue confronting manufacturers must implement packaging Aptar Pharma, part of AptarGroup,
the healthcare sector today is the number solutions that minimise the environmental is the company’s provider of innovative
of hospitals that are ageing, meaning their impact of expanding product lines, build drug delivery solutions to pharmaceutical,
technologies and systems are becoming sustainability practices into the development consumer healthcare and biotech customers
outdated. Managing the renovation or of new delivery systems, seek utility savings worldwide. Its patented Freepod multi-
replacement of these facilities in a sustainable in new automation strategies and leverage dose, preservative-free nasal spray device
way – using elements like green building serialisation.” For example, the article with GlaxoSmithKline’s Otrivin won
design and construction, and incorporation says, when it comes to accurate dosing, the World Packaging Organisation’s
of on-site renewable energy technology – patients who achieve better results with oral, prestigious WorldStar Award in 2019 for its
can have a direct impact on the environment injectable or nasal sprays versus other formats sustainability impact. The award annually
without impacting patient care.4 provide a strong incentive for companies to recognises advancement and excellence in
The healthcare sector is seeing increased offer those new delivery mechanisms. packaging design and technology.
pressure to make commitments and tangible These advancements in drug delivery
progress that positively impact both the add to the growing variety of products on
environment and society. The global shift the market. In addition, a shift towards
towards achieving a sustainable future smaller batch runs allows for more
has made environmental stewardship an product diversity. However, more frequent
expected norm. changeovers on machinery are required to
deliver this diversity of products, which in
CURRENT TRENDS IN THE turn can have negative impacts on energy
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY consumption at the manufacturing level.
An ageing world population and improved CSR FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY
access to healthcare in emerging markets SUSTAINABLE DRUG DELIVERY
are driving increased demand within the
pharmaceutical industry. Manufacturers today Today, socially and environmentally
are responding to the demand by producing responsible pharmaceutical companies are
a wider variety of pharmaceutical products. developing ways to produce their products
However, the resulting changes to production more efficiently and sustainably. Companies
can conflict with sustainability objectives. have created self-imposed targets and
A key challenge for the pharmaceutical initiatives to reduce the impact of their
industry is how to accommodate demanding activities and products on the environment
production schedules and increased product while keeping the patient and product
variety while also keeping the environment efficacy top of mind (Figure 1).
APTAR IS A GLOBAL LEADER
IN SUSTAINABILITY
A key challenge for the
pharmaceutical industry One company making a difference in its
is how to accommodate commitment to creating a more sustainable
future is AptarGroup, a global leader in
demanding production
drug delivery, consumer product dispensing
schedules and increased and active packaging solutions. Earlier this
product variety while also year, Barron’s included Aptar on its list of Figure 1: A reusable, resettable
the “100 Most Sustainable Companies in Noble training autoinjector,
keeping the environment built to replicate the form and
America” for the second consecutive year,
function of the true drug delivery
and sustainability in mind.” and Newsweek named it one of “America’s device upon which it is based.
Most Responsible Companies 2020”.
Copyright © 2020 Frederick Furness Publishing Ltd www.ondrugdelivery.com 45
Noble
Figure 2: Various Noble
patient training devices, all
of which are resettable for
ongoing use and practice.
NOBLE’S COMMITMENT them overcome their anxiety and fears – shipping and more sharps waste. When a
TO ENVIRONMENTAL rather than using their single-use actual patient uses a resettable training device,
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES drug delivery devices filled with medication they are more likely to receive a proper dose
for practice, which requires disposal when using the actual drug delivery device.
Noble, an Aptar Pharma company, after a single use. In addition, pharma Simply put, when a patient gets it right the
promotes healthy patient outcomes for companies often achieve cost reductions first time, our footprint shrinks.
people who self-administer their drug and support their own sustainability Noble is also an environmental
therapies through the development of initiatives by using Noble’s resettable steward when it comes to its packaging
robust training and onboarding solutions training devices. designs, balancing sustainability with
for the world’s top pharma brands and There is an extraordinary, and often an understanding that the patient and
biotech companies. The company shares overlooked, downstream cost to the product efficacy are key factors in the
Aptar’s commitment to creating a more healthcare system when patients do not design process (Figure 3). This commitment
sustainable future. comply with their self-administered drug to sustainable packaging extends to Noble’s
A prime example of how Noble therapies – and noncompliance often travel kits (Figure 4), which are designed to
contributes to a sustainable environment begins because of a lack of upfront and protect temperature-sensitive medications.
is through resettable training devices ongoing training. All materials used within Noble’s
(Figure 2). These reusable training devices Not only does the patient suffer when packaging are compliant with the
allow patients to repeatedly practise the they do not receive the proper dose of their Restriction of Hazardous Substances
use of autoinjectors, prefilled syringes and medication, it also hurts the healthcare (RoHS) directive that originated in
nasal delivery devices to educate themselves system by creating the need for additional the European Union to restrict the use
on proper usage technique and to help goods and packaging, such as additional of specific materials that are hazardous
to the environment, including lead,
mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium,
polybrominated biphenyls (PBB),
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE),
and four different phthalates (DEHP, BBP,
BBP, DIBP).6 Additionally, nearly all of
the company’s packaging is also free of
harmful chemicals such as paint and
electroplated plastic components.
CONCLUSION
Due to pressing environmental needs, a
Figure 3: A Noble patient
focus on preserving the environment for
training kit made with
recyclable materials. future generations and a shift to more
responsible consumption and production,
46 www.ondrugdelivery.com Copyright © 2020 Frederick Furness Publishing Ltd
Noble
companies have embraced more sustainable order to increase patient adherence and
strategies. The link between sustainability, confidence and decrease usage errors.
both environmental and social, has clear ties Noble is an Aptar Pharma company.
to human health, making advancement of
these strategies a priority for healthcare and REFERENCES
pharmaceutical industries alike (Figure 4).
1. “Learn About Sustainability”. Web
ABOUT THE COMPANY Page, US Environmental Protection
Agency, Accessed August 2020.
Noble is focused on fostering healthy 2. “Report of the United Nations
patient outcomes for those who self- Conference on the Human
administer drug therapies through the Environment, Stockholm, 5-16 June
development of robust training devices and 1972”. UN Digital Library, 1973.
onboarding solutions for the world’s top 3. Silvis J, “Connecting Sustainability to
pharma brands and biotech companies. the Healthcare Mission”, Healthcare
Noble manufactures and commercialises Design Magazine, May 29, 2012.
training devices that mimic the exact feel, 4. “Environmentally Sustainable Health
Figure 4: A reusable Noble travel kit
that is temperature controlled to force and function of drug delivery devices Systems: A strategic document”.
keep medications at their optimal such as autoinjectors, prefilled syringes and WHO, February 7, 2017.
temperature while away from home. on-body, nasal and pulmonary devices in 5. “Environmental Sustainability
in Health Care – 2019”.
Position Statement, Australian
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Medical Association Web Page,
Alex Catino, Product Commercialisation Associate at Noble, an Aptar Pharma company, March 20, 2019.
is responsible for supporting development, launch and commercialisation of Noble’s 6. “RoHS Compliance FAQ”.
platform products. Alex holds BSc degrees in business administration and psychology. RoHS Guide Web Page, Accessed
August 2020.
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Working
towards a more
sustainable
future.
At Noble, we feel it's our responsibility to help
ensure a more sustainable future for our patients
and customers, which is why we're proud to offer
reusable training devices and recyclable packaging.
© 2020 Noble International, LLC. All rights reserved. Noble Speaks Patient ™
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