EU Green Deal

As Europe strives to be the first climate-neutral continent, the Commission’s European Green Deal sets the blueprint for transforming the economy and societies so that all sectors of the EU’s economy are fit to meet this challenge. Our sector is well placed to make an important contribution in this respect.

The European Commission describes environmental pollution caused by human and veterinary pharmaceutical substances as ‘an emerging environmental problem’ and its ‘Study on the environmental risks of medicinal products’ confirms that some medicinal products pose environmental risks and that there are concerns for the health effects on humans. Health and environmental regulators, academics and the pharmaceutical industry are working to assess the situation and find solutions.

Homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products have negligible environmental impact, making this ‘one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable forms of healthcare on the planet’.[1]The majority of homeopathic substances have no environmental toxicity. 

One emerging discipline is agro-homeopathy, the use of substances in agriculture at ultrahigh dilutions. Adopted by some farmers in Europe, particularly in Italy, the systemic agro-homeopathic approach offers options that 'are safe for farmers and have no ecological side effects'; it has potential as an ecological alternative to improve the health status of plants. In one study, the results obtained suggest that agricultural homeopathy has potential in horticulture, since all treatments favorably influenced the response variables during germination, emergence and vegetative development of  the turnip (Brassica napus L.). [2]

In line with the ‘One Health’ approach promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy planet means healthy people, healthy animals and healthy soil. All indications are that our medicines can add value in this approach. We feel it is imperative to review, understand and exploit the contribution our sector can make towards the goal of a greener Europe.