Page 30 - CW E-Magazine (Oct-Nov-2023)

Sustainability Practices

a vital role in providing affordable
healthcare to people around the world.

The National Stock Exchange
(NSE) has a separate stock index for
listed Indian pharmaceutical companies
(NIFTY PHARMA), which consists of
20 pharmaceutical companies operat-
ing in various segments (See Table).

Many of these pharmaceutical com-
panies are publishing their sustainabil-
ity reports regularly.
fied their manufacturing processes * Reduced costs – Manufacturing
Sustainability efforts to achieve zero waste. costs are reduced by reducing en-
Indian pharmaceutical companies 4. Energy efficiency improvements ergy consumption, water consump-
have focused on attaining sustainabil- – Domestic pharmaceutical com- tion and waste generation. Thus, the
ity in their operations through various panies have improved the energy companies can save money and in-
means and measures, just like other efficiency of their manufacturing crease their profit.
companies in various industry sectors. facilities through measures such as, * Improved reputation – These sus-
Sustainability has become an important use of energy efficient equipment tainability measures help the com-
operational aspect in pharmaceutical and lighting, optimization of pro- panies to improve their reputation
manufacturing practices. duction schedules, etc. in the eyes of their investors as well
5. Promoting green chemistry – De- as the general public. By being seen
The important sustainability efforts velopment of new drugs and manu- as sustainable companies, they can
may be summarised as described here. facturing processes that are more attract more customers and inves-
environmentally friendly or green tors.
1. Renewable energy use – Many In- chemistry processes, which require * Boost to innovation – The efforts
dian pharmaceutical companies are less number of chemicals as raw to achieve sustainability goals give
using renewable energy obtained materials, and reduced number of re- a boost to innovation within these
through solar and wind sources, to action steps. This also includes utili- pharmaceutical companies. In-
reduce their carbon footprint. sation of less toxic chemicals and creased innovation finds new ways
2. Reduction in water consumption solvents, as well as identifying ways to reduce their environmental im-
– Several steps have been taken to to recycle and reuse waste materials. pact.
reduce the water consumption in dif- * Improvement in employee morale –
ferent processes in pharmaceutical Additionally, the Indian pharma- Due to increased sustainability and
manufacturing plants. Installation of ceutical companies are also working commitment to sustainability of the
water-saving devices at appropriate on improving their social sustainability companies, their employees morale
locations and recycling used water initiatives; including providing access is also improved. This leads to in-
after suitable purification techniques to healthcare for undeserved communi- creased happiness and productivity
have been used to reduce the net wa- ties through free or low-cost medicines of the workforce.
ter consumption in manufacturing and development of new healthcare
processes. facilities; supporting sustainable agri- Through these developments, the
3. Reduction in waste generation – In- culture, for example, through organic Indian pharmaceutical companies are
dian pharmaceutical companies have farming; supporting education and proving that it is possible to make a
taken various measures to reduce training programmes, and promoting profit while meeting the sustainability
generation of waste in their manu- gender equality. goals to protect the planet.
facturing plants, especially through
recycling and reusing the waste raw Such sustainability efforts have led Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
materials and products or by-prod- to several benefits for these pharmaceu- Sun Pharma is the largest Indian
ucts. Many companies have modi- tical companies. pharmaceutical company with sales of

26 Chemical Weekly October / November 2023