Sustainable use of pharmaceuticals in focus at international meeting

Currently, 121 researchers and industry representatives are participating in the online seminar Sustainable Pharmacy Practice: What is the role of community pharmacies, an annual pharmaceutical policy forum that brings together expertise from all Nordic countries and Estonia to exchange experiences and jointly develop a sustainable path forward.

“This year we place particular emphasis on the societal role of community pharmacies and their potential to reduce the environmental impact of drugs. This is our third annual meeting, and it is evident that the forum plays an important role in strengthening collaboration across national borders, as well as in highlighting research in social pharmacy,” says Sofia Kälvemark Sporrong, Professor of Social Pharmacy at Uppsala University.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly prominent on the healthcare agenda. Pharmaceuticals are a key factor in this development and are steadily gaining prominence on the agendas of the United Nations and the World Health Organization for a sustainable world. Studies show that community pharmacies are in a unique position to contribute to the responsible handling and disposal of drugs, as well as to educate patients about how they can help reduce environmental impact.

“Today’s meeting includes both lectures and group discussions. Among others, we will listen to Helle Håkonsen, Associate Professor at the University of Gothenburg, who will present the role of community pharmacists in environmental sustainability from a Swedish perspective. I also look forward to gaining insights from and discussing the situation in the other countries, as this seminar provides an invaluable opportunity to share experiences and learn from one another,” says Professor Kälvemark Sporrong.

text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt a o