Medicines and the environment – challenges and solutions for sustainable pharmacy

Abstract

This open access textbook sheds light on the sustainability challenges underlying pharmaceutical sector and gives examples of current best practices and future development needs to support environmental sustainability of medicines. The aim of the book is to provide the necessary knowledge base for both future and current healthcare professionals and decision-makers. It is suitable not only for teaching pharmacy but also for other fields (health sciences, medicine, environmental sciences and sustainability science).

The textbook has been compiled by the Generation Green task force at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki: Leena Hanski, Outi Lapatto-Reiniluoto, Minna Lehtisalo, Sanja Riikonen, Tiina Sikanen, Mia Sivén ja Eeva Teräsalmi. Generation Green initiative, launched in 2015, aims to increase sustainability and environmental perspectives in pharmaceutical and healthcare education and to promote environmental research related to medicines throughout their lifecycle.