Challenging the “3R” Rhetoric in the Autoinjector Industry
Pharmaceutical companies that want to ‘move the needle’ on sustainability efforts can take a more proactive approach to reduce their footprints. Here’s why.
We all know the “3 Rs” of classic sustainability practices—reduce, reuse, recycle. While these strategies are at the top of pharmaceutical companies' talking points, they often need help to make the gains they commit to in their sustainability efforts.
Of the “3 Rs,” Recycling and Reuse receive the most attention. In reality, recycling and reuse practices are reactive measures that deal with waste after it has been created, occurring too far down the pipeline to do the world any real good—if they occur at all.
The Biohazard Barrier
In the autoinjector industry, biohazard, and sterility concerns are legitimate barriers to designing reusable autoinjectors. Existing “reusable” devices feature expensive electronic components that still require a new primary drug container for each injection.
The Recycling Reality
Of all the plastics the world uses, only 9% is actually recycled. That means 91% of all plastics—including up to 3500 tons of plastic waste from US healthcare facilities each day—either end up in landfills or have infiltrated natural environments. Additionally, using recycled materials in medical devices may compromise device stability and patient safety.
The “Ecofriendly” End Game
While using eco-friendly plastics in autoinjector design can be beneficial, transporting these raw materials to the manufacturing site can quickly negate CO2 savings. While bioplastics are often seen as more “green” than traditional plastics, a 2010 study from the University of Pittsburgh determined that the production of bioplastics resulted in greater amounts of pollutants. This is largely due to the fertilizers and pesticides used in growing the plant material and the extensive chemical processing required to transform it into a usable plastic.
Recycling and reusing materials can be energy-intensive and produce significant emissions, negating any sustainability gains. This is why the first “R”—Reduce—should also be the first priority and the first step in designing drug therapies that maximize the potential of complex drugs while reducing product waste, cold chain requirements, operational redundancies, and the industry’s carbon footprint.
Conclusion: The Windgap Approach
At Windgap Medical, we take the “Reduce” principle seriously from the outset. Our Large-Volume Dual-Chamber (LVDC) autoinjector platform is designed with reduction at its core. By enabling the delivery of lyophilized therapeutics and supporting long-acting injectables, our LVDC technology reduces the frequency of injections and the number of devices needed. This innovation not only minimizes waste and environmental impact but also enhances patient convenience and adherence. By prioritizing reduction in every step of the product lifecycle, Windgap is leading the way in creating sustainable, effective drug delivery solutions.
Contact us to discuss partnership, investment, and feasibility study opportunities.
This post is part of a 5-part series about “Injecting Sustainability” into complex drug delivery. Find the full series here.