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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 Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA)

International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA)

http://www.ifpma.org/

The IFPMA represents members of the R&D pharmaceutical industry, including the biotech and vaccine sectors, in dialogue with global intergovernmental organizations, the diplomatic missions of national governments, and specialized non-governmental organizations.. This industry group has established guidelines on access to genetic resources and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization.

Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI)

http://www.pharmaceuticalsupplychain.org/

The PSCI is a group of major pharmaceutical companies who share a vision of better social, economic, and environmental outcomes for all those involved in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This includes improved conditions for workers, economic development. and a cleaner environment for local communities.

As a first step, the PSCI created the Pharmaceutical Industry Principles for Responsible Supply Chain Management. These Principles address five areas of responsible business practices: ethics, labor, health and safety, environment, and management systems.

Timber Trade Federation (TTF)

Timber Trade Federation (TTF)

http://www.ttf.co.uk/

The TTF provides environmental services to its members including briefings, training, tools, research data, and policy making. Additionally, they promote the positive environmental benefits of using wood products and encourage environmentally responsible trading practices. Furthermore, they offer guidance on all relevant environmental matters and regularly publish material for members and their customers. Finally, the TTF advises the government on timber procurement through the Reference Board for the Central Point of Expertise in Timber (CPET).
  • To download the Business Support Services brochure,  Click here (Download time is approximately 30 seconds).
Natural Products Association Sseal

Natural Products Association Sseal

http://www.npainfo.org/

US-based association that has a standard and certification programme for personal care products that provides a set of guidelines on certified natural and sustainable ingredients.
Guidelines on the conservation of Medicinal plants (by WHO/IUCN/WWF)

Guidelines on the conservation of Medicinal plants (by WHO/IUCN/WWF)

http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s7150e/...

The aim of these Guidelines is to provide a framework for the conservation and sustainable use of plants in medicine. To do this, the Guidelines describe the various tasks that should be carried out to ensure that medicinal plants are conserved effectively for the future and that where medicinal plants are taken from the wild, they are taken on a basis that is sustainable.The Guidelines conform to the principles of Caring for the Earth6, prepared in partnership by IUCN, UNEP, and WWF.

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Health and Pharmaceuticals

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