When most people think of the pharmaceutical industry, they usually don’t associate it with environmental issues. However, a study conducted in 2019 revealed something surprising.
It found that drug companies produce more carbon dioxide per million dollars than the automotive industry. This means that even though the pharmaceutical market is smaller than the automotive sector, it is more polluting in terms of carbon emissions.
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This is an important finding because it means that pharmaceutical companies need to take action to reduce their carbon emissions. By doing so, they can help protect the planet and everyone living on it. The pharmaceutical industry must be more environmentally friendly and minimize its impact on the environment.
Good news! Scientists from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom have discovered a way to help the pharmaceutical industry become more environmentally friendly. They developed a process described in the journal ChemSusChem, where they converted a substance called β-pinene, found in turpentine, into important components used in the production of medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen.
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Currently, many pharmaceutical companies use chemical components derived from crude oil to make these painkillers. However, the researchers found that turpentine, a waste product from the paper industry, can be used instead. Turpentine is abundantly available, with over 350,000 metric tonnes produced each year.
By using turpentine, the scientists could also synthesize other vital substances like 4-HAP (a precursor for beta-blockers), salbutamol (an asthma inhaler drug), and various household cleaners.
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This discovery is significant because it allows the pharmaceutical industry to reduce its reliance on crude oil-derived chemicals and utilize a more sustainable and readily available resource. It is a positive step towards making the production of medications more environmentally friendly.
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The team has developed a “bio-refinery” process that is better for the environment. Because it is not dependent on oil, which can fluctuate in price due to political unrest, it may also help keep drug prices more stable. However, right now, it is more expensive to make drugs using this process compared to using crude oil. The team thinks people might be willing to pay a bit more for sustainable drugs, but when someone is sick or in pain, they usually don’t want to spend more money on relief.
