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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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FairWild

FairWild

http://www.fairwild.org/

Fairwild endeavours to provide a worldwide framework for implementing a sustainable, fair, and value-added management and trading system for wild-collected natural ingredients and products thereof.
Organic and Sustainable Industry Standards

Organic and Sustainable Industry Standards

http://www.oasisseal.org/

The OASIS seal is an industry consensus standard certifying that the highest international Standard for the Health and Beauty industry have been met. To obtain the seal a product must contain 85% certified organic content.
International Cyanide Management Code

International Cyanide Management Code

http://www.cyanidecode.org/

The "International Cyanide Management Code For The Manufacture, Transport and Use of Cyanide In The Production of Gold" (Cyanide Code) is a voluntary industry program for the gold mining industry providing principles and standards of practice to promote:
  • The responsible management of cyanide used in gold mining.
  • Enhancing the protection of human health.
  • The reduction of the potential environmental impacts.

International Standards for the Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP)

International Standards for the Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP)

http://www.floraweb.de/map-pro/

The ISSC-MAP provides specific guidance on sustainable sourcing practices for medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as a set of principles and criteria addressing conservation, sustainable use, access and benefit sharing, and good environmental practices.
International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA)

International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA)

http://www.ipa-news.com/

The IPA is a non-profit association representing leading mining, production, and fabrication companies in the global platinum group metals (PGMs) industry, comprising platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, osmium and ruthenium.

The major aim of the organization is to act as a platform for discussion and information exchange between its members and with the outside world. Furthermore, the IPA serves as an early warning system for the PGM industry by monitoring legislation (emissions control, REACH, recycling etc.) and industry related topics such as trade, health & safety, and sustainable development.

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Health and Pharmaceuticals

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