By Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma, Professor, University of Helsinki

The Generation Green aims at educating the new generation capable of comprehending and assimilating environmental impacts of medicines. The life cycle of medicines spans their discovery, development, industrial production and use, from the original drug molecule to its metabolites that usually pass through the sewage treatment plants and enter the water system. It should be noted that in the manufacture of medicines the use of various chemicals is essential: catalysts, solvents and auxiliary substances of many kinds are needed. Chemical industry has paid careful attention to the environmental effects of chemicals already for a long time. By the way, would the grass be greener on the other side, i.e. is there something Green Pharmacy could learn from the well-established Green Chemistry? Continue reading →