An innovative project for eco-responsible prescribing
The Groupement Hospitalier de Territoire (GHT) Nord Franche Comté is launching an ambitious project called PEPA (Prescription Écoresponsable des Produits Anticoagulants). The project aims to reduce the carbon and environmental footprint of drugs, which are responsible for around 30% of the healthcare system's greenhouse gas emissions.
A visionary initiative
" This project arose from the desire of the director of the GHT Nord Franche Comté to promote eco-prescribing as part of the GHT's population and environmental responsibility project. We responded to the ARS call for projects for the ecological planning of the healthcare system, including the ADM drug component for the Bourgogne Franche Compte region," explains Dr. Charles Grapinet, Pharmacist at Hôpital Nord Franche-Comté.
Focus on medicines of animal origin
At the heart of this project are animal-derived drugs, notably HVPN and unfractionated heparins. To produce these drugs, extracted from the mucus of pig intestines, an estimated 500,000 to over a million pigs are needed each year, 60% of them from China. " For us, it was interesting to work on this subject and assess the environmental impact of different anticoagulant drugs, focusing on the comparison between those of animal origin and those of synthetic origin. After comparing the environmental impact, the aim is to promote eco-responsible prescribing by giving preference as far as possible, both in our purchases and in our prescriptions, to drugs that have the least environmental impact, while ensuring optimum quality of care for our patients ," explains Dr Grapinet.
Lifecycle analysis and comparison
To assess the environmental impact of the various anticoagulants, a life cycle analysis will be carried out, taking into account all stages of production, distribution, use and disposal. This analysis will cover not only the drugs used in the GHT, but also all injectable drugs of animal and synthetic origin, offering a global vision to guide purchasing. " We will also carry out a medico-economic analysis, assessing the overall cost, to provide our facility management with objective data for decision-making ".
Decision trees and collaboration
Environmental and economic impact data will be integrated into decision trees, enabling doctors to make informed prescribing decisions. Collaborative working groups between doctors and pharmacists will be set up to create these decision trees, adapted to hospital and outpatient prescriptions.
A clear objective
In short, the PEPA project aims to carry out an exhaustive assessment of the environmental impact of all anticoagulants, to create decision-making tools for healthcare professionals, and to reduce consumption of the anticoagulants with the greatest environmental impact. This innovative project could well transform the way medicines are prescribed, with a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. " We assume that anticoagulant drugs of animal origin have a greater impact on the environment, but this remains to be proven, which is the aim of our project," concludes Dr. Grapinet.
This promising GHT Nord Franche Comté project could well become a model for other healthcare establishments in France and beyond.