Pharmacists at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) have implemented green pharmacy initiatives by redesigning medication packaging into single-material paper boxes to reduce waste across Singapore’s public healthcare clusters.
- Packaging Impact: Potential to recycle 4.36 million redesigned boxes annually, reducing carbon emissions by 4,592kg.
- Cost Efficiency: A 29% reduction in packaging costs, totaling approximately $400,000 over four years.
- Waste Reduction: A pilot study redistributed 44,104 unit doses of unused medication to suitable recipients.
Redesigning for Sustainability
The new packaging replaces the previous clear plastic windows with six perforated holes. These holes allow pharmacists and patients to identify medications while maintaining durability and compatibility with automated pharmacy dispensing systems.
With support from 16 public hospitals and polyclinics across Singapore’s three public healthcare clusters, the initiative aims to significantly lower the medical sector’s environmental footprint. The carbon emission reduction is roughly equivalent to 24 round-trip flights between Singapore and Bangkok.
Senior pharmacist Alicia Lin, who spearheaded the project, noted that the design underwent five versions and rigorous testing with vendor Winson Press before reaching a breakthrough in October 2025. The effort ensured that sustainability did not compromise patient safety or operational efficiency.
Broadening Environmental Efforts
During the TTSH Sustainability Awards on April 23, 2026, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary praised the hospital’s commitment to circularity. He highlighted another successful effort: the replacement of the general anaesthetic gas desflurane with the more environmentally friendly sevoflurane.
TTSH reduced desflurane usage—a gas with a global warming potential more than 2,500 times that of carbon dioxide—by 66% from 2022 to 2023, followed by a further 20% reduction in 2024.
Dr. Janil also noted the government’s establishment of the Heat Resilience Policy Office in March to coordinate heat management across the health and infrastructure sectors as part of Singapore’s upcoming National Adaptation Plan.
Tackling Medication Wastage
Beyond packaging, NHG Health is piloting a project to reduce the environmental impact of medication wastage in community care. The program identifies unused medicines during home visits and redistributes them based on strict eligibility criteria, including intact packaging and verified storage conditions.
Between March 2025 and February 2026, the team collected 44,104 unit doses across 124 types of medicine. Common medications successfully redistributed included metformin for diabetes, senna laxatives, and omeprazole for indigestion.
Pharmacy director Lim Hong Yee stated that 30% of the collected medication was matched and redistributed in the last six months, resulting in savings of about $1,400. If all donated drugs were given a “second lease of life,” total savings would have reached approximately $17,000.
The redistribution pilot avoided roughly 89.5kg of carbon emissions, equivalent to one return flight between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. NHG Health is currently evaluating opportunities to scale the program across its cluster.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
