Green Pharmacy Approaches to Reduce Carbon Footprint in Healthcare: Sustainable Strategies for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Abstract

Climate change and environmental contamination are growing worldwide issues, and the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries play a substantial role through their carbon emissions, waste production, and intensive use of resources. Drug manufacturing involves high energy consumption, solvent-based chemical synthesis, significant packaging waste, and multifaceted distribution systems, all of which heighten the environmental impact of healthcare delivery. As a result, green pharmacy has gained attention as a sustainable concept designed to reduce ecological damage while maintaining therapeutic performance. The review focuses on how green chemistry, eco-friendly drug development, and sustainable production technologies can help reduce the pharmaceutical sector’s carbon emissions. Approaches including additive manufacturing, microfluidics, mechanochemistry, spray congealing, and continuous processing help reduce solvent consumption, energy demand, and waste generation. Circular pharmaceutical economy practices, such as recycling programs, medication take-back initiatives, and eco-friendly packaging, further enhance environmental responsibility. Support from regulatory policies and international sustainability frameworks promotes wider implementation of green practices in healthcare. Case studies, including sustainable ibuprofen synthesis and enzyme-based drug production, highlight real-world applications. Collectively, embedding green pharmacy approaches within drug development, manufacturing processes, and healthcare delivery is key to lowering environmental burden and advancing sustainable healthcare. Ongoing advancements in green technologies, regulatory support, and multidisciplinary collaboration are expected to further enhance environmentally conscious pharmaceutical innovation.