Fri 17 October 2025
AdPha champions pharmacy’s role in a more sustainable health system
AdPha is proud to be the voice of the pharmacy profession within the Transitions to Sustainable Health Systems (TSHS) Consortium — a collaboration of 16 leading organisations across research, healthcare, and government, working together to help Australia’s health sector achieve net zero emissions.
The Consortium today released its landmark guide, Accelerating towards net zero: A guide for the Australian health system, outlining key actions to reduce healthcare’s carbon footprint while improving patient outcomes. These include investing in disease prevention, streamlining healthcare services, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, phasing out fossil gas in health facilities, and minimising patient travel for care. Read media release
Launched today at Alfred Health’s Innovation and Education Hub in Melbourne, the guide sets a clear direction for the future of sustainable healthcare delivery.
‘As representatives from the pharmacy profession, we believe sustainability must be front and centre — prioritised in prescribing, procurement, and all healthcare decision-making,’ said Dr Kate O’Hara FANZCAP (Neonatol., Paeds), Vice-President of AdPha.
‘With pharmacy being the single largest contributor to Australia’s healthcare carbon footprint, AdPha is proud to support the shift toward a more responsible and sustainable hospital pharmacy profession through our work with this consortium.‘This guide is a vital first step to help health organisations fast-track our collective journey toward a healthier, more sustainable future.’
Dr O’Hara’s work through the Consortium have also earned her recognition as one of the top three finalists for the Policy Champion Award to be announced later this month at the Climate + Health Summit Awards, hosted by the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA).
AdPha Chief Executive Kristin Michaels added,
‘We are incredibly proud to celebrate Kate’s leadership in climate and health and her vital contribution to the Consortium.
‘Pharmacy can sometimes be overlooked as part of Allied Health, yet it plays a crucial role in reducing healthcare’s carbon footprint.
‘Through her advocacy, Kate ensured pharmacy-specific recommendations were embedded in the report — showing that environmental policy can enhance, not compromise, clinical effectiveness and system resilience.’
Sustainability is a key pillar of AdPha’s Yindyamarra 2030 strategic plan and underpins all aspects of our work. Earlier this year, we led global advocacy for sustainable medicine use through MedsAware: Deprescribing Action Week campaign which was also recognised in today’s report as an example of pharmacy ingenuity in advancing sustainability.
And don't miss our special 'Transitions to sustainable health systems' session at MM2025 on Saturday 29 Nov presented by Dr Kate O'Hara and Professor Angie Bone.