Sustainable development as part of teaching in pharmacy
The Faculty of Pharmacy’s Generation Green project originated in a science competition held in connection with the 375th anniversary celebrations of the University of Helsinki. The Faculty took part in the competition with the theme of integrating green pharmacy into university teaching.
The goal was to develop teaching in pharmacy by integrating into it the themes of sustainable development, rather than organising separate courses.
Another aim was for graduates with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in pharmacy to be able to consider the requirements of sustainable development in their work, irrespective of their positions in professional life.
In addition to the Faculty leadership, researchers, teachers and students, the Generation Green team included stakeholder representatives. For public engagement, the team also received help from its mentors, MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen and representatives of the think tank Demos Helsinki.
Change requires action
After the competition, Generation Green has continued to promote sustainable development in pharmacy.
“Change doesn’t come about on its own: you have to make a systematic effort to realise the green and sustainability transition without additional complications,” says Pharmacist and University of Helsinki alum Eeva Teräsalmi, MSc (Pharmacy), a long-term project contributor.
From the start, the project has had three dimensions: teaching development, research and public engagement.
In terms of teaching, integration has been advanced while continually monitoring the progress of change among Faculty teachers and students. Thanks to a description available in an international publication, the model is available to anyone who wishes to develop their teaching in a sustainable direction.
Research has progressed through both domestic and EU-level collaboration. Initial collaboration with the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) resulted in, among other things, guidelines for the sustainable development of the pharmaceutical supply chain and a publication on the classification of pharmaceutical agents. Research continues, for example, in the SUDDEN project funded by the Research Council of Finland and the PREMIER project funded by the EU.
Results through cooperation
Generation Green has been the primary target for public engagement at the Faculty of Pharmacy. In fact, a large number of stakeholders from the entire field are involved in the project. They have been provided with continuing education, seminars and information.
The project also has a clear international aspect.
“From the start, the Generation Green project has been very international, in line with the ‘Think globally, act locally’ mindset. The project’s relations with the international research community are close, and the Faculty has also launched an international master’s programme focused on green pharmacy,” Teräsalmi says.
In addition, the project has produced a large amount of educational material and other information currently being compiled into a textbook.
“There is a tremendous demand in the field for material that would also provide sufficient basic knowledge in the natural sciences for professionals in other fields. This is why we have launched a book project in order to compile such knowledge into an open access database. The book will be completed in 2023,” Teräsalmi says.
“Generation Green is a prime example of what a small field can achieve through collaboration. Thanks to this project, Finland is a global leader in pharmacy in terms of sustainable development and green pharmacy.”
Pursuing the world’s first professorship in green pharmacy
In autumn 2020, the Faculty of Pharmacy also began raising funds to establish the world’s first professorship in green pharmacy.
Donations have been received from businesses, organisations and private individuals to the tune of almost one million euros.
“There is still time to join the effort this autumn, when the goal is to raise another €150,000. Large or small, all donations drive the project forward,” says Teräsalmi, urging potential donors.
“The professorship to be established will benefit all operators in our field. Above all, it’s an investment in the future of our younger generations. They deserve a world where drug therapies are safe and effective without endangering our environment!”