Green Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: A Focus on Sustainable Approaches to Drug Formulation Development, Production & Case Studies

Abstract

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is a cornerstone of modern medicine but it’s also one of the most resource-intensive and environmentally burdensome industrial sectors. Traditional synthesis and formulation processes consume massive amounts of energy, water, and toxic solvents, generating significant waste and greenhouse emissions. The concept of green pharmaceutical manufacturing has emerged as a transformative framework that integrates sustainability principles into every stage of the drug lifecycle as from raw material sourcing and process development to formulation and packaging. This review discusses the major sustainable approaches in pharmaceutical production, including green chemistry, solvent substitution, biocatalysis, continuous manufacturing, renewable feedstocks and eco-friendly formulation technologies. It also explores Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), regulatory initiatives and industrial case studies which demonstrates shift toward cleaner, safer and more efficient drug production systems.