While the healthcare industry is responsible for saving millions of human lives, its work comes at a considerable cost to the environment thus a need for developing a tool to track carbon emissions from clinical trials has emerged. The healthcare industry accounts for nearly five per cent of greenhouse gas emissions and similar percentages of toxic air pollutants and even though its discoveries can save the population from different diseases, its carbon footprint might actually cause these diseases or lead to more severe symptoms. Since every industry now is preoccupied with how to make their business more sustainable and environmentally friendly, it is clear now that the healthcare industry needs a sustainability overhaul, and that includes clinical trials.
To reduce the carbon footprint of clinical trials globally, researchers must measure the number of active patients treated in each trial and document this in every treatment unit, including outpatients. More specifically, consider the average number of hospital beds used in a year worldwide and document this. The number of vehicle trips taken as well as the length of time someone spends sitting in a waiting room or examining table also needs to be recorded. Furthermore, it is important to take into account any individual product used in the clinical trial. For example, a person may have been prescribed the particular brand of toothpaste which was contained in the clinical trial.
The reduction of carbon emissions from clinical trials therefore requires that companies that produce, manufacture, transport or store the medical device or drug perform a carbon footprint audit. These audits are becoming an increasingly important part of the development of new medical products and methodologies, as well as the regulatory submission of the clinical trials themselves. As more attention is placed on carbon emissions emitted during manufacturing processes, companies that manufacture carbon neutral goods and services are likely to experience greater success in obtaining regulatory approval for their products. This will inevitably mean an improvement in public health and the reduction of chronic diseases and global warming.
Although trials often contribute to climate change, it is important to note that the vast majority of them do not. Despite what some critics claim, clinical trials in fact play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is because trials are undertaken in areas where climate change is already a significant problem. In places where climate change is a looming concern, the use of clinical trails can help reduce overall carbon footprint.
It is also important for companies to note that their carbon footprint does not relate directly to greenhouse gas emissions. As noted above, a large part of the product cycle is driven by efficient production processes that use a minimal amount of fuel and energy. A large amount of active transport and travel is also necessary in order for trials to take place, so in this case the carbon emissions incurred driving vehicle travel and production are not directly tied to the production process itself.
If companies want to ensure that the results of their clinical trials are robust and reliable, they must implement a policy that drives efficiency. Companies should ensure that the processes used to quantify patient outcomes and waste are efficient enough to reduce waste without compromising the integrity of the trial data. For this reason it is vital that trials are conducted according to the accepted guidelines from each respective regulatory body. For instance, in the US, trials are required to meet stringent guidelines on compliance and reporting. In Europe, guidelines are stricter and clinical records are required to be kept for every patient, as well as detailed information on the activities of the trial team during the trial.
While ensuring that the clinical trial process is both reliable and efficient, companies must also focus on reducing their direct carbon impact. This means pursuing efforts to create a “net-zero waste” event through active transport and waste management strategies. Companies should also consider investing in facilities to reduce emissions, as well as in the development of new materials and equipment that can reduce the need for emissions-generating electricity and fuel.