Cutting emissions by drug industry is crucial to reducing NHS’s carbon footprint

Two thirds of the total greenhouse gas emissions accounted for by the NHS in England come from sources not directly controlled by the NHS: drugs, medical devices, business services, and manufactured products have a far larger “carbon footprint” than do hospitals, ambulances, or catering. Drugs alone account for more than 20% of total emissions and devices another 8%.

The figures make it clear that the drug and medical device industry is important if the NHS as a whole is to reduce its impact on the environment. New guidelines (http://bit.ly/XhJVGn), just published by Environmental Resources Management, a leading consultancy in international sustainability, provide a systematic way of working out the greenhouse gas emissions for drugs and medical products, as a conference held …