“Lead by example” – The General Pharmaceutical Council’s carbon net zero action plan for sustainable pharmacy regulation

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) unveiled their action plan for sustainable pharmacy regulation which includes their goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040. The regulator is undertaking a “’themed review’ of pharmacy practices to ascertain and promote good sustainable healthcare within pharmacy”.

The strategy aims to “serve as a proactive approach to identifying exemplary models of sustainability within the pharmacy sector” and contribute to a wider sector push towards greener pharmacy practice.

Net zero commitments require an organisation to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in line with global goals to keep global temperature increases below 2°C above pre-industrial temperatures. The residual emissions are to be balanced through carbon removal credits such as through CO2 removal technologies or afforestation.

Sustainability and the green agenda continue to be a key interest within pharmacy professional practice. As climate change has been declared as the biggest threat to public health, pharmacy professionals hold a key position in mitigating the potential amplification of health inequalities and delivering safe and effective healthcare services.

The regulator wants to “lead by example” to tackle climate change and is clear and intentional with its goals and desire to drive change. The review sets out a clear pathway orientated towards accountability and being proactive in their commitment to net zero emissions. 

The plan is built around 3 core aims: leading by example, greening regulatory levers and engaging with stakeholders. What this means in action for the GPhC is addressing emissions from offices, assessing travel policies, governance practices, and collaborating with supply chains to reduce emissions, as well as integrating greener thinking into regulatory frameworks to push forward more collaborative efforts for sustainable pharmacy care.

While these action points are only just starting to be implemented, as Roz Gittens, Chief Pharmacy Officer at the General Pharmaceutical Council, mentions, it does highlight the “dedication to reducing…environmental impact and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change”. This active engagement aims to speak to the regulator’s “vision to have safe and effective pharmacy care at the heart of healthier communities”. 

At CPC North in November, we have a number of sessions in line with the work of GPhC’s sustainability targets. For example, there is a session led by Nuala Hampson, Pharmacy Lead and Senior Educator at The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare around Sustainable Pharmacy Care. This will be an overview of the principles of sustainable healthcare and how they can be applied to pharmacy practice, including examples demonstrating how the principles of prevention, patient empowerment, lean systems and low carbon alternatives can be applied to benefit patients and the planet.

Read the full plan here: https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/2024-08/gphc-carbon-net-action-plan-for-sustainable-pharmacy-regulation-august-2024.pdf