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Limited LCAs of pharmaceutical products: merits and limitations of an environmental management tool

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  • Anne Marie de Jonge

Abstract

This article explores both the merits and the limitations of life cycle analysis (LCA) as an environmental management tool in the framework of the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, limited LCAs in the form of product lifecycle‐oriented energy balances were established for two rather different pharmaceutical products. Primary energy requirements served as the single indicator for the products' direct and indirect environmental impacts. The functional units of the products were defined as the one year treatments of average patients. The results of the case studies indicate that the portion of the active substance in the pharmaceutical end product is an important predictor for the breakdown of energy requirements and thus environmental impacts over the life cycle. Despite its limitations, the energy balances provide first‐hand indications of where eco‐efficiency measures should be taken. In this sense, the limited LCAs served as a useful environmental management tool. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment

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  • Anne Marie de Jonge, 2003. "Limited LCAs of pharmaceutical products: merits and limitations of an environmental management tool," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(2), pages 78-90, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:10:y:2003:i:2:p:78-90
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.36
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eva Heiskanen, 2000. "Managers' interpretations of LCA: enlightenment and responsibility or confusion and denial?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(4), pages 239-254, July.
    2. Knud Sinding, 2000. "Environmental management beyond the boundaries of the firm: definitions and constraints," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(2), pages 79-91, March.
    3. Riina‐Riitta Helminen, 2000. "Developing tangible measures for eco‐efficiency: the case of the Finnish and Swedish pulp and paper industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(3), pages 196-210, May.
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