Movement toward Environmentally Friendly Pharmaceuticals in Japan

As an economic activity, any medical practice involves greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Japan, healthcare accounts for approximately 5% of GHG emissions estimated based on economic costs. In the medical sector, pharmaceuticals account for a large proportion of these emissions. GHG produced during drug manufacturing is generally estimated in three scopes. Scope 1 encompasses direct emissions from equipment and business activities owned by the company; Scope 2 encompasses indirect emissions from the production of energy used in the company’s activities; and Scope 3 encompasses GHG emissions outside the scope of the company’s ownership or control but related to its supply chain (i.e., material procurement, logistics, sales, and disposal). Japanese pharmaceutical companies, similar to companies in other countries, strive to build a sustainable industry. Their efforts have been objectively evaluated, and several companies have been certified by organizations, such as the Carbon Disclosure Project. Regarding biotechnology and the healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors, 6 of the 14 highest-ranking companies in the world are located in Japan, compared to one or two companies in other nations. Each pharmaceutical company has generally set high emissions goals, although these goals do not necessarily match due to operational differences between companies. Typical strategies to reduce GHG emissions include consolidation of plant facilities, use of renewable energy and eco-cars, simplified packaging of drugs, and shortening of the supply chain. If consumers ignore such companies’ efforts, it could put the brakes on environmental conservation activities in the pharmaceutical sector. Stakeholders, including healthcare providers, could further encourage movement toward environmentally friendly pharmaceuticals by market mechanism through proactively prescribing drugs with less environmental burden. Any clinicians can recognize corporate efforts to protect the environment and contribute to developing environmentally friendly medicine for sustainable growth.