Social Management of Pharma Products for Sustainable Development

Introduction

The pharmaceutical products include drugs, capsules, medicines, tablets, additives, etc. In the pharmaceutical industries, the processing and manufacturing of these products take place. There has to be a proper balanced and sustainable approach for this. This is very necessary also from the environmental related aspects to avoid pollution and other hazards. The social management is essential in the pharmaceutical industries during the processing and manufacturing of pharma products. The proper measure to be followed in these industries is the need of the hour. The term ‘sustainability’ is related with the good health of human beings, safety at work place, various rights, quality of work, etc. (Bom et al., 2019; Moldan et al., 2012). The pharmaceutical industries have attracted many people globally. The production of new drugs, medicines, etc. involves Research and Development (R & D) in pharmaceutical industries (Garnier, 2008; Weaver et al., 2022). The relevance of sustainability has gained importance in pharmaceutical industries (Schneider et al., 2010). This involves how the pharmaceutical industries operate, environmental aspects they follow, and their sustainable approach (Jimenez-Gonzalez et al., 2012; Shaw and Whitney, 2016). The important issues in the pharma sector are represented in Figure 1. The sustainable approach is at micro and macro levels and it is necessary to have it at both these levels. The World Health Organization (WHO) through sustainable approach ensures important health benefits and services for all humans. For this, the management studies on sustainability are important in all pharmaceutical industries (Aquino et al., 2018). Green pharmacy includes the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products in an eco-friendly and economical manner (Clark, 2006). Due to this, there will be reduction of hazardous effects on the human health. “Green” means without disturbing the environment which is very essential. There are additional considerations. Extensive research on the occurrence of pharmaceutical products in environment and its eco-toxicological consequences, European Commission and HELCOM like organizations labeled pharma micro pollutants as developing issue for the world (Caban and Stepnowski, 2021; Deloitte Sustainability 2018; International Initiative on Water Quality-IIWQ 2017).The research process based on the monitoring the pharmaceuticals in environment is often influenced by the Matthew Effect (Iceberg or Bandwagon effect) by limiting the surveys due to the prior studies or the detectable concentration of residues (Daughton, 2014). For the comprehensive management of the pharmaceutical associated eco problems, the initiative must be taken from manufacturing to disposal step. During all this process, every stakeholder is responsible and contributes to have the social management of pharma practices.

Figure 1.

Important Issues in the pharma sector