AUSTRALIAN COMMISSION ON SAFETY AND QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE
The future of medicines: good for people, good for the planet Most of us remain unaware that medicines (or
Incorporating sustainable practices in healthcare
creams, patches, and inhalers, for that matter)
settings and at home, including appropriate use
have a big impact on the environment — but
of medicines, can improve the health of the
they do.
community, reduce low value care, unwarranted
Correctly taken medicines often save lives. They
variation and waste. More and more opportunities
afford us healthier and more active lives. So how do
are becoming available to discover what is
we manage the potential damage to environmental
happening and what can be done.
health while treating our own? With some thought, it is possible to make our medicine cabinets more environmentally friendly while keeping good health front and centre.
Medicines and carbon footprint The carbon footprint of Australia’s healthcare sector is estimated at over 7% of our nation’s total
National Medicines Symposium 2023 The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care hosted the National Medicines Symposium (the Symposium) for the first time on 8 November around the theme, The future of medicines: good for people, good for the planet. The Symposium is an annual conference bringing
emissions. Pharmaceuticals are responsible for
together leading organisations, experts, clinicians,
almost a fifth of these emissions. In addition to
consumers, and policymakers to discuss emerging
carbon emissions, health care is also a significant
and key issues in quality use of medicines. This
consumer of natural resources and a major
year, it was an entirely virtual event, in keeping
contributor to waste products. Pharmaceutical
with the theme of sustainability. Local and
waste throughout the global supply chain leads to
international speakers focused on innovative
environmental, human, and animal toxicities and,
ideas and initiatives in presentations and panel
in the case of antibiotic residues, to antimicrobial
discussions.
resistance.
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The Health Advocate • NOVEMBER 2023
