Introducing concepts of circular economy into the public procurement of medicines in Europe

• Published in: European journal of hospital pharmacy. Science and practice Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 238 - 240
• Main Authors: Guiu Segura, Josep Maria, Gilabert Perramon, Antoni, Sans Calle, Vivian, Hors Comadira, Paula
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.07.2019; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Letter
• Subjects: Drug stores; Pharmaceuticals; Pharmacists; PostScript; Sustainability; Europe; Spain; drug procurement; pharmacy management (organisation, financial); administrative organisation; drug storage and distribution; quality in health care; health economics
• ISSN: 2047-9956; 2047-9964
• DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2018-001717

The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists position paper on procurement, released in June 2018,1 states that the knowledge and skills of hospital pharmacists make them specialists in the entire field of medicine procurement. Circular economy acknowledges the constraints on natural resources, and offers an approach to cope with them and move towards a more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable world. [...]procurement criteria could select suppliers based on circularity and the tendering of greener drugs. The management of expired drugs and the discharge of pharmaceuticals into the environment are concerns for healthcare sustainability. [...]efforts to minimise them, such as redistribution of drugs before expiry, should be encouraged, while ensuring quality and traceability.3 Moreover, it is also important to adopt other strategies that support a circular economy in healthcare and drug procurement.