C56887 Identifying High Carbon Footprint Medicines In The NHS

The 2019 NHS Long Term Plan set sustainability commitments for the NHS, which are elaborated in the 'Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service' report.

Medicines account for 25% of NHS carbon emissions, 5 percentage points being direct emissions, e.g. from inhalers and anaesthetic gases, and 20% being from other medicines, including those emissions embedded in the medicines supply chain.

Whilst several options exist, it is unclear which methodology is the most practical and usable for the NHS in assessing the carbon footprint of specific medicines, which is essential for determining the next steps in the NHS's strategy to reduce emissions from medicines, particularly those beyond direct emissions from inhalers and anaesthetics.

The objective of this project is therefore to understand the best approach to assess carbon emissions from specific medicines or groups of medicines (e.g. by class, formulation, administration route), and then use this to inform the next priority areas for the sustainable medicines programme, as well as recommendations for future monitoring of progress.

Indicative phasing

1. Phase 1: Review of available evidence

2. Phase 2: Discussion in the form of one or several advisory group(s), with participation from key subject matter experts and stakeholders from academia, clinical practice, medicine regulation and industry.

We would welcome responses brought together by a collaboration of one or more suppliers to cover the range of expertise and skills required to deliver this work Interested suppliers should register on the NHS England & Improvement e-procurement system here: https://health-family.force.com/login