It is important to highlight that sustainability does not only refer to the economic viability of an industry but also to its social and environmental impact. In the case of the pharmaceutical industry, sustainability is measured through various indicators, such as efficiency in the use of resources, minimization of waste and emissions, compliance with safety and quality standards, accessibility to medicines, and the impact on the health of the population.

Regarding environmental sustainability, the pharmaceutical industry has a significant impact on the environment due to the generation of hazardous waste, the use of energy and water, and the emission of greenhouse gases. To address this problem, pharmaceutical companies are working to reduce their carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency, as well as implement waste management programs and the use of renewable energy.

Economically, the pharmaceutical industry must ensure that its production and distribution are profitable and sustainable in the long term while continuing to offer affordable prices for patients and access to essential medicines. To address this challenge, the pharmaceutical industry is working on innovation and new drug development and improving efficiency and productivity in manufacturing and the supply chain.

Socially, the pharmaceutical industry is responsible for ensuring that medicines are accessible and available to all people who need them, regardless of their socioeconomic or geographic origin. The pharmaceutical industry is working in collaboration with governments, non-profit organizations, and other actors to improve access to medicines and reduce health equity gaps.

As pharmaceutical companies seek to improve their impact on the environment and society, they are adopting more sustainable practices at all stages of their supply chain, from research and development to drug production and distribution.

Research and development (R&D) of new medicines can be expensive and have a large environmental impact. To address these challenges, some pharmaceutical companies are adopting more sustainable practices in their R&D programs.

One of the ways is through the use of in vitro models and computer simulation. These approaches can reduce the need for clinical trials, which in turn reduces the amount of waste produced. Additionally, some companies are using biomaterials and 3D printing techniques to create organ and tissue models for laboratory testing, which may also reduce the need for animal clinical trials.

Companies are addressing sustainability in drug production through the adoption of cleaner, more energy-efficient technologies. This can include implementing energy management systems and using renewable energy such as solar or wind.

In addition, companies are also looking to reduce the amount of waste produced during drug production. This can include adopting cleaner production practices and using recycling processes to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

The distribution of medicines can also have a great impact on the environment and society. The pharmaceutical industry supply chain is highly complex, and each stage of distribution can have significant environmental and social impacts. Nowadays companies are working on the implementation of cleaner and more efficient logistics practices.