The Indian pharmaceutical industry adopts eco-friendly measures to reduce plastic usage and transition to renewable energy sources.
Indian pharmaceutical industry
Indian pharmaceutical industry The Indian pharmaceutical industry is increasingly concerned about climate change, global warming, and deforestation. The sector is strengthening its commitment to sustainable practices by reducing plastic use, switching to renewable energy sources, and promoting tree planting.
Dilip Surana, Chairman and Managing Director of Micro Labs, highlighted the industry’s dependency on plastic for safety and sterility, which creates significant waste management issues. Improper disposal leads to land and water pollution. For India to truly become the ‘Pharmacy of the World,’ companies must adopt environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. This involves reassessing the entire supply chain, particularly the use of plastics in packaging and shipping.
Through our Dolo 650 partnership with rePurpose Global, we are striving for plastic neutrality. By integrating sustainable practices throughout the supply chain, we aim to ensure patient safety while safeguarding our planet’s health, stated the Micro Labs chief.
Sunil Attavar, president of the Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (KDPMA), emphasized the importance of exceeding legal requirements for environmental protection. He noted that the Indian pharmaceutical industry is actively engaging in renewable energy adoption and seeking alternatives to plastic, among other measures.
At Group Pharma, we have introduced our first dental product with 100 percent biodegradable packaging and have offset 100 percent of our carbon footprint in manufacturing and supply chain operations. This is a small step towards developing more sustainable products in the future, he added.
Recognizing the significant responsibility to protect the planet, manage energy, and reduce emissions, Sibaji Biswas, CFO and Executive Director at Syngene International, stated, “Over 80 percent of our energy comes from renewable sources. We have committed to science-based targets (SBT) to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2033. We collaborate with leading suppliers to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals. Our employees also emphasize the importance of proactively managing our environmental impact.”
Archana Dubey, EVP of International Sales at Bal Pharma, mentioned, “As part of our ESG initiative, we have organized two impactful activities to contribute to a greener future. On June 1, 2024, we launched a tree plantation drive across our company units in Bengaluru 1 & 2, Sangli, Rudrapur, and Udaipur, as well as our sales office in Gurgaon. Additionally, to tackle plastic pollution, we conducted a plastic waste collection campaign at our Bengaluru facility.”
India’s health tech companies are also advancing the adoption of green technology. Illamathy E N, Director of Engineering Product Management at Ascendion, explained, “When discussing sustainable healthcare solutions, we focus on utilizing renewable energy sources, implementing advanced waste management systems, creating recycled and eco-friendly medical products, and using biodegradable materials.”
Preventative healthcare and wellness are equally essential for the population. Focusing on lifestyle changes, healthy eating, and mental health reduces the need for medical services, resulting in fewer hospital visits. This approach ultimately lowers costs and decreases the use of medicines and medical supplies, contributing to resource conservation. In the long run, healthier communities support sustainable environmental development, she noted.
Sandeep Thombre, design head at London Studio, Tata Elxsi, emphasized that sustainable healthcare is not merely an option but a necessity for the future. The combination of design and sustainability provides an opportunity to create medical devices that are efficient, effective, and environmentally responsible.
Tata Elxsi is integrating eco-design principles, promoting energy-efficient technologies, and conducting comprehensive lifecycle assessments to minimize the environmental impact without sacrificing efficacy or accessibility. By leveraging design and technology-driven solutions, the company assists organizations in innovating across various stages of the product lifecycle to enhance resource efficiency, optimize materials, promote circularity, and achieve ESG targets, he stated.