< PreviousWASTE MANAGEMENT 30 Pharma Business International www.pbiforum.net A waste problem Where does pharma stand on reducing waste, and how much of what is said is being done actually is? 30-33.qxp_Layout 1 12/04/2023 08:57 Page 1Pharma Business International 31 www.pbiforum.net WASTE MANAGEMENT © stock.adobe.com/ karichs T he news is in that human pollution has already reached unsustainable levels, and it’s time for all industries to take a stand. For pharma, that is not always so simple due to the necessity of its involvement with manufacturing. Simply put, the process of testing and making medicines is, by its very nature, inherently wasteful. Extensive animal testing and then human creates waste, while the requirement for packaging that keeps medicine hygienic is, again, wasteful. These aren’t things that can be changed without sacrificing other things, namely human safety, so they’re likely to stay. The question then is how much more effective the industry can become at reducing the waste created in other areas, and which can be scaled back. It’s unlikely the industry will ever become zero-waste, but it can try to reduce what it produces. So far, over 28% of pharma companies have pledged to reduce their waste emissions by at least 25%, and there is plenty of leeway in how to accomplish this. Some are trying to avoid landfill use and tackle waste in the form of the packaging they use, and what customers should do with said packaging after it has been used. This also includes disposal of medicines that have been manufactured but not used before they go out of date. Solvents are also a big cause of waste currently in the pharma sector, especially when they are disposed of incorrectly. Wastewater is another area where people are taking a big look at waste recently. In the UK this is especially true due to recent scandals surrounding sewage dumped in rivers and at beaches. There’s no denying that the pharma industry is very hungry when it comes to water. Water can be used during synthesis, used as an excipient, in cleaning, or it may be a key ingredient of a medicinal product. Whatever the case, 32 Á 30-33.qxp_Layout 1 12/04/2023 08:57 Page 2WASTE MANAGEMENT 32 Pharma Business International www.pbiforum.net water is being used and then contaminated, and the manner in which this wastewater is cleaned and released back into the environment is under the microscope. One way in which companies are looking to reduce water consumption is to re-purpose and re-use the water they are already using. Several pharma companies are aiming to become water neutral in the future, consuming 100% of the water they harvest and thus producing no wastage, but some may find that an impossible goal. In those cases efforts taken to limit and reduce water wastage are paramount, and the primary focus of reduce, reuse and recycle are perhaps the best ways to look at it. Finally, waste in the form of emissions hangs over the pharma industry. It’s estimated that the industry produces 55% higher emissions than the automotive industry, which is a sobering comparison to make. Pharmaceutical manufacturing already releases several gases and aerosols that can be considered harmful to the environment, but these may be unavoidable. Instead, companies are looking to take a holistic approach and consider the bigger picture. Freight by air is quoted to create over 60x the amount of emissions as sea freight does, but shipping everything by sea may not be the right answer, as there are more considerations than just emissions. When it comes to the areas that the industry can improve in, pollutants and packaging have to be at the top of the pile. Recent studies have identified 30-33.qxp_Layout 1 12/04/2023 08:57 Page 3Pharma Business International 33 www.pbiforum.net WASTE MANAGEMENT © stock.adobe.com/ arcyto uncomfortable levels of API’s (active pharma ingredients) in rivers and waterways across 104 countries, making this a global phenomenon on a similar level to microplastics found in the ocean, fish, and even human blood. Companies need to do more to address this issue, as unsafe water is sure to cause further problems not only environmentally, but ecologically, and these are very likely to transform into political issues. Many companies have environmental plans and schemes in place, but few cover this area specifically, and many are seen as more marketing initiatives than action. There is a commercial value to these initiatives as well. In the UK it is estimated that pharma companies spend 4-5% of their turnover on getting rid of waste, rising to 10% in cases of pharmaceutical goods that produce harmful waste, and the figure will be similar across other countries as well. Finding ways to reduce waste is more than just helping the environment – it is a sound business strategy. © stock.adobe.com/ Siniehina 30-33.qxp_Layout 1 12/04/2023 08:57 Page 4Pharmaceutical Microbiology USA 26 - 27 April Boston, USA Join leading experts in 2023 to discuss and analyse the latest advances and challenges surrounding Pharmaceutical Microbiology. Network with industry professionals, discuss revisions in regulatory and guidance documents, and gain a deeper insight into this corner of the field. Women’s Health Innovation Summit Europe 26 - 27 April Basel, Switzerland The Women’s Health Innovation Summit Europe is returning to Switzerland to drive its mission of improving the access to and quality of healthcare for women across the globe. Whilst the distribution of FemTech companies in Europe currently sits at 27% (in comparison to North America’s 51%), there is the potential for huge growth in the market. This event aims to act as the catalyst for this growth in the development of solutions in this underserved area. The summit will offer the opportunity for connection and partnership, bringing together the leaders and innovators from Europe and Israel, from large pharmaceutical companies and biotechs to Pharma EVENTS © stock.adobe.com/ ArtemisDiana 34 Pharma Business International www.pbiforum.net Genomics and Precision Medicine Expo 23 - 24 May London, UK Genomics and Precision Medicine Expo will share the latest advancements and developments in genome sequencing and genomic testing and explore the immediate and future potential for the development of start-ups, investors, and service providers, to collectively drive forward the women’s health market. CHEMUK 2023 10 - 11 May Birmingham, UK CHEMUK is now established as the UK’s annual Chemical, Laboratory & Process Industries Supply Chain Expo & Speaker Programme. The Expo comprises three shows; ‘The Chemical Industries Supply Chain Show’, ‘The Chemical, Process & Plant Engineering Show’, and, new for 2023, ‘The CHEMLAB Show’. The CHEMUK two-day speaker programme will host some 150+ expert speakers discussing the big challenges and opportunities affecting the UK’s chemical & chemical product industries. NEXT Pharma Summit 16 - 17 May Dubrovnik, Croatia NEXT Pharma Summit is a two-day multistage conference dedicated to people passionate about pharma and all around digital, commercial, medical affairs, tech and more. NEXT understands that pharma is shaping and redefining its purpose due to the heavy transformation process, and wants to lead, inspire and cheer about it, and ask a simple question: Where to NEXT? © stock.adobe.com/ CStock Med-Tech Innovation Expo 7 - 8 June Birmingham, UK Med-Tech Innovation Expo is the UK and Ireland’s leading event for medical device manufacturing. It brings together leaders, engineers, innovators & manufacturers, connecting them with technology to facilitate the design & manufacture of life changing medical devices. Visitors will see the entire spectrum of advanced technology, materials & solutions on show, including: packaging, extrusion & moulding, 3D printing, automation, materials, electronics, medical plastics, design, sterilisation, components, testing & inspection, sensors, cleanroom tech, surface technology, manufacturing equipment & contract manufacturing services. 34-35.qxp_Layout 1 12/04/2023 08:58 Page 1precision medicine within the NHS and beyond. From discovery, research, development and regulatory assessment, to delivery, supply and patient development, you’ll develop your knowledge and hear critical updates for clinicians and service managers. Cell & Gene Therapy 19 - 20 June London, UK Cell and Gene Therapy Conference will bring together expertise from individuals across the advanced therapeutics community. The two-day conference will offer a series of presentations, through which you will gain insight into the latest developments in discovery, development and delivery of cell and gene therapies. Largely owing to the success and regulatory approvals of mRNA vaccines in recent years, there has been a renewed spotlight on cell and gene therapies and this “second-wave” is proving highly successful in accelerating R&D in the space through increased investment. This year’s conference will consider the latest approaches to therapeutic discovery and the impact of technologies such as AI and CRISPR/CAS-9. Novel approaches to delivery and screening have also taken hold and case studies on applications in oncology and rare diseases will demonstrate the enormous potential of cell and gene therapies for new and effective opportunities in personalised medicine. www.pbiforum.netPharma Business International 35 © stock.adobe.com / omar RNA Therapeutics USA 14 - 15 June San Diego, USA The inaugural RNA Therapeutics USA Conference will take place in San Diego in June 2023. RNA therapies are leading the way in the field of genetic medicine, with the market expected to reach 1.81 billion USD by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 7.5%. This in large can be attributed to the topical advancements in mRNA vaccines, paving the way for global regulatory successes. We currently see the RNA Therapeutic field focus on the challenges associated with delivery of RNA molecules extrahepatically, with a particular drive to overcome barriers of delivery to the Central Nervous System. In addition, RNA technologies continue to lead the way in revolutionising immunotherapies and the vaccine landscape, along with exceptional potential to treat a wide variety of chronic, previously undruggable diseases. The 2023 agenda will address these latest challenges along with recent advancements in RNAi and continue to drive innovation in the field of RNA Therapeutics. Pre-Filled Syringes West Coast 12 - 13 June San Diego, USA The 7th Annual Pre-Filled Syringes West Coast Conference will be back for 2023 in San Diego to bring together the device developers, innovative biotech and big pharma. This year’s conference will explore the exciting advances in the combination product drug delivery space and a future outlook exploring how pharma, device developers and regulators can work together to encourage innovation. 34-35.qxp_Layout 1 12/04/2023 08:58 Page 2FEATURES Process, Control & Automation Training & Skills Development Flow Measurement & Control Warehouse & Distribution Cleaning & Maintenance Next issue: Deadline - 31st May 2023 REGULARS News Events M&A Round-up Eye On Approvals Visit us at www.pbiforum.net where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox, in between digital issues? @pbiforumwww.pbiforum.netcompany/pbiforum 36.qxp_Layout 1 12/04/2023 08:59 Page 1Next >