New packaging for leading fertility company to lower carbon footprint by a third

Pharma News: Companies are increasingly looking to use their economic and social resources wisely to protect natural resources.

Merck Healthcare has launched its new Slim Pack fertility medication packaging into Australian pharmacies, with reduction in size for customer and patient convenience and environmental impact.

The global initiative provides 40% smaller packaging for Merck’s GONAL-f fertility pens, a medicine containing follicle–stimulating hormone (FSH) used in infertile women.

By taking up less refrigerated space in the clinic and at home, Slim Pack will improve portability, efficiency and convenience along the entire value chain, also for patients. Importantly, the fertility products remain unchanged now contained within a redesigned, smaller package to be distributed more sustainably.

Josie Downey, Managing Director, Merck Healthcare ANZ explained that the new packaging is made of 100% recyclable cardboard.

She said “When it comes to fertility treatment, the ANZ team is committed to smaller footprints.”

“As leaders in healthcare, we are focused on improving the experiences of our patients and customers, while recognising our responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations,” she said.

“By swapping the plastic tray component for a cardboard alternative in our fertility packaging we are saving 180 tons of plastic waste per year – that’s enough plastic to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge more than 7 times!

“The pack design is 40% smaller and will also help to lower our carbon footprint by 33%,” she added.

While Australia’s ASX200 companies increasingly acknowledge ESG performance as a value driver within their businesses, the ESG Reporting Trends revealed that out of the 14 ASX200 companies in the healthcare sector none had a ‘comprehensive’ ESG reporting rating and only 5 had a ‘detailed’ reporting rating, highlighting a sector-wide gap.

Merck’s Slim Pack aims to lower GONAL-f fertility pen’s global carbon footprint by 33%. The initiative will play an important role in lowering the company’s annual CO2 emissions, an important business priority stemming from the company’s  Sustainability Strategy.

Additionally, the pack size reduction positively impacts the supply chain process, as less cold storage space allows more product to be transported in fewer shipments, savings are up to 55% per pallet.

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