Call for action to reduce the environmental impact of prescriptions

Healthcare leaders in Scotland have called for bold action to reduce the environmental harm caused by medicine prescribing

Medicines account for around 25% of carbon emissions in the NHS. If Scotland is to achieve net-zero, strategies for reducing carbon emissions from prescribing and medicines need to be tackled. Medicines also have an ecological impact when they get into our waste water system and are discharged into our rivers and oceans.

To ensure that prescribing is made more environmentally sustainable, the bodies representing healthcare professionals who prescribe have issued a joint statement calling for wide ranging action to be taken, by policy makers, education providers, NHS leaders and the pharmaceutical industry.

The professional leadership bodies for prescribers also recognise their responsibility in supporting prescribers to reduce their environmental impact and in doing so, commit to encouraging prescribers to take a Realistic Medicine approach to prescribing by involving patients in prescribing decisions and reducing unnecessary prescribing, and also promoting the increasing use of green social prescribing initiatives.

Commenting on the publication of the joint statement, Dr David Shackles, joint chair of RCGP Scotland said:

“The climate crisis is a public health crisis and as healthcare professionals, we are committed and united in our calls for action. Our joint statement is a significant step forward and I very much look forward to engaging with the Scottish Government and others to make progress in this important area. This is essential if we are to achieve the very best outcomes for the health of our patients and the planet.”

RPS Director for Scotland, Clare Morrison, commented:

“Health professionals in Scotland have chosen to come together to create a new national movement to reduce the environmental harm of prescribing and medicines use. Now we are calling on others to join us: Scottish Government, producers of NHS guidelines, the pharmaceutical industry, all health and care professionals, and of course patients. 

“Every one of us needs to take action to tackle climate change. What this joint statement demonstrates is how seriously we are taking the climate crisis: we can no longer assume someone else will take responsibility, we must all play our part.”