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Health and Pharmaceuticals

About this sector

The pharmaceuticals industry develops, manufactures and sells a variety of products for the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, and prevention of human and animal disease. Continuing scientific research and technological advances over the past century or so have seen such products becoming increasingly available for a wide range of diseases, allowing the eradication or control of previously life-threatening diseases and contributing to improved quality of life and increased life expectancy.

Impacts

  • Over-harvesting of wild species containing medically active compounds.
  • Habitat change and degradation from the cultivation of important species.
  • Soil, water and air pollution from manufacture processes.
  • Consumer disposal and excretion of products.

Opportunities/Risks

  • Lost opportunities: at current plant and animal extinction rates the Earth is losing one major drug every two years.
  • New product development: bioprospecting is an industry that could be worth US$500 million by 2050.
  • Consumer demand: increasing trends in alternative medicines, in particular herbal therapies, creates an opportunity for sustainable and ethical harvesting of species which can also impact reputation, and lead to brand differentiation.

Case Studies


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Biodiversity and Access to Affordable medicines

Biodiversity and Access to Affordable medicines

Recognizing the importance of medicinal plants offers a unique opportunity to link biodiversity, health and sustainable development. Biodiversity is the source of primary health care for the majority of the world’s population. The research and development of medicinal plants is thus a way to safeguard and advance health care, which is essential for much of the population. Moreover, the ethical sourcing of medicinal plants can play an important role in the conservation and sustainable use of these species and their ecosystems, as well as provide a significant avenue for local sustainable development.


Tools and Mechanisms


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International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

http://www.planttreaty.org

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is crucial in the fight against hunger and poverty and essential for the achievement of Millennium Development Goals 1 and 7. This website disseminates information on the ITPGRFA and its Multilateral System for Access and Benefit Sharing. It is meant to be a platform to distribute documents for the meetings of the Governing Body and its related committees and subcommittees and other information.
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

http://bio.org/ip/international

BIO is the world's largest biotechnology organization, providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more than 1,150 members worldwide. BIO engages in the discussions on a possible patent law harmonization treaty within WIPO, the WTO TRIPS process, as well is actively engaged in the deliberations of the Intergovernmental Committee on Folklore, Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources of the World Intellectual Property Organization and in various forums within the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
UK Green Building Council

UK Green Building Council

http://www.ukgbc.org/site/home

The UK Green Building Council's mission is to improve the sustainability of the built environment in homes and non-domestic buildings by transforming the way it is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated. Additionally, they have produced sector specific biodiversity guidance.
Uganda BioTrade

Uganda BioTrade

http://www.ugandaexportsonline.com/biotrade/

The Uganda BioTrade Programme was designed to facilitate and promote trade in biological goods and services.  Increased trade positively affects employment creation, the sustainable use of Uganda’s natural resources, and contributes to poverty alleviation.
National Biotrade Project in Bolivia

National Biotrade Project in Bolivia

http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Webflyer.asp?docID...

Bolivia´s National Biotrade Programme, to be applied for five years, has the following overall objectives:

  1. To stimulate production of, and trade in, biodiversity goods and services following criteria of ecological, social, and economic sustainability
  2. To strengthen value chains and related local economies, thus creating links with domestic and international markets.

It contains the following five components:

  • Development of standards for promoting the sustainable management of biodiversity
  • Development of skills for sustainable production
  • Facilitating access to markets, certification, and financing
  • Developing value chains
  • and fostering access to information and training in biotrade for the various national stakeholders

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Health and Pharmaceuticals

Case studies
Tools and Mechanisms