Current Issues

The HDA intends to show leadership as a sector in reducing the carbon emissions of the medicines supply chain, both to minimise the impact of the sector on the environment and to meet the future targets required of NHS suppliers.

The HDA has created a Net Zero Working Group, which coordinates the association’s efforts. We are furthermore a participant in the NHS Sustainable Supplier Forum, collaborating with the NHS on their sustainability agenda. This agenda requires collaboration between the entire medicines supply chain to succeed.

The following constitutes the HDA’s intended direction for actions on Net Zero, while its formal strategy is developed.

Priority themes and actions:

In collaboration with its members, HDA UK will seek to reduce carbon emissions in the following ways:

Transportation:

• Exploring alternatives to high-emissions vehicles that fit the needs of the sector i.e. temperature-controlled vehicles, electric HGVs
• Supporting actions to expand the charging infrastructure for commercial electric vehicles
• Reducing mileage through route planning and optimisation

Energy consumption:

• Encouraging the switch to green energy sources
• Exploring avenues for reducing energy consumption, e.g. through the switch to LED lighting

Packaging and product sustainability:

• Working with industry partners to reduce plastic waste and to adopt more environmentally friendly packaging
• Seeking opportunities for recycling collection

Government and regulators:

• Working closely with UK Government and regulators to apply for support and flexibility to achieve HDA Net Zero objectives
• Communicating business impact of new legislation (e.g. plastic levy)
• Engaging local / devolved governments on relevant policy areas (e.g. charging infrastructure, low emissions zones, accessing grants)

Industry cooperation and partnerships:

• Engaging upstream partners (manufacturers) and downstream partners (pharmacies, hospitals and dispensing practices) in an open and ongoing dialogue on emissions reduction, to reduce impact of the supply chain as a whole
• Sharing best practices and opportunities for collaboration with other industries