Although virtuous from the point of view of sustainability actions, pharma is being called upon to set itself even more challenging goals and to work on potentially risky aspects in terms of reputation.

The pharma sector accounts for almost 5% of global emissions. Given its power and resilience and, above all, given the uninspiring context, action in terms of reducing emissions and using resources more efficiently is more than possible: it is necessary. Politicians say so, society is clamouring for it, and legislation, which at the European level has addressed the environmental impact of treatment in several places, establishes it.

Despite understandable resistance related to the inflationary cycle and the aftermath of a pandemic that has had the well-known dramatic repercussions on the economy, the cost of sustainability must be considered an investment and initiatives in this area should be designed with this in mind.

A daunting challenge in a historical era accustomed to believing only in feedback that can be obtained entirely and immediately. But so it is: for various reasons, all before our eyes, interventions in sustainability (appropriately declined and planned) constitute the driver of development.

Seen from a more global perspective, the issue does not only concern individual companies, but also states, and not only in terms of obtaining solutions that improve the health of citizens, but also in terms of economic growth. What country can afford to spend large sums on technological and infrastructural innovation, or can call itself competitive if it is burdened by unsustainable health and social spending, linked to the resulting climate and environmental devastation and social inequalities?

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