Sustainability in the pharmacy and pharmaceutical science curriculum

BACKGROUND Sustainability is fast becoming a significant economic factor for the pharmaceutical industry and therefore important for future professionals in the sector. However, sustainability often plays only a marginal role in pharmaceutical science and pharmacy degrees. Sustainability in the pharmaceutical sector encompasses a wide range of environmental and socio-economic issues that require contributions from multiple science disciplines, complicating its introduction into curricula. PLAN This curriculum initiative aims to identify suitable frameworks for embedding sustainability concepts and practices into the pharmaceutical science and pharmacy degrees at Monash University. We report here on preliminary insights from curriculum mapping, an analysis of literature frameworks and an evaluation of ‘pilot’ teaching activities addressing sustainability. Student perspectives will be investigated through assessment data and survey results (human ethics approval pending). ACTION AND EVALUATION Sustainability-focused teaching activities have recently been incorporated into the Monash University pharmaceutical science and pharmacy degrees. These activities draw on a range of frameworks and standards, including the UN sustainable development goals (United Nations, n.d.) and the ESG (environment, social, governance) framework. The AMEE consensus statement learning outcomes (Shaw et al., 2021) have been used for mapping sustainability content in the Monash Pharmacy degree. REFERENCES Shaw, E., Walpole, S., McLean, M., Alvarez-Nieto, C., Barna, S. et al. (2021) AMEE Consensus Statement: Planetary health and education for sustainable healthcare. Medical Teacher 43(3), 272-286, DOI: 10.1080/0142159X.2020.1860207 United Nations (n.d.), Sustainable development goals. Retrieved May 22, 2023 from https://sdgs.un.org/goal