The General pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has issued guidance to support implementation of standards for initial education and training of pharmacists and and training of independent prescribers.
Both documents include a section on consideration of environmental sustainability and climate change (see below for excerpt) and refer to the GPhC carbon net zero sustainability action plan which includes reference to establishing a comprehensive Sustainability Accreditation Framework for pharmacy education courses. Whilst at this stage the guidance is not mandatory, the GPhC hope that it encourages providers to build upon work in this area.
Education is a key strategy in influencing positive changes to practice meaning that sustainable healthcare approaches need to be embedded at all levels of practice from early education to system leaders in order to drive and maintain positive change. For providers of pharmacy education and training, this can mean considering incorporating environmentally sustainable practice into their curriculums. Providers should consider how their course provision will support future pharmacists to be well informed in relation to environmental factors affecting pharmacy and patients in their care, and that they are equipped with appropriate knowledge, skills, understanding and behaviours to make a positive impact in this area through their practice.
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