Environmental Impact of Animal-Derived Ingredients in Medications

Global warming, climate change, the greenhouse gas effect… we all have heard how the choices we make in our daily lives contribute to these crises. One of our biggest contributions? Consuming products that contain animal-derived ingredients.

Three of the most common animal-derived ingredients include lactose, gelatin, and magnesium stearate, all derived from cows and pigs. These three ingredients are found in about 20-59% of the 100 most common drugs in primary care. The global gelatin market is expected to reach about 4.42 billion dollars (USD) by 2026 due to an increase in demand from several pharmaceutical industries. However, the animal-derived ingredients that are present in three out of four medications contribute significant negative effects on the environment.

What specific effects do animals have on the environment?

"...the top three meat firms (JBS, Cargill, and Tyson) emitted more greenhouse gases than the entire country of France"

Animals contribute to much of the greenhouse gas effect in agriculture. Peter Lehner, a managing attorney for the non-profit environmental law firm EarthJustice, explains that this effect comes from the “ruminant emissions of cows” whose “waste on the ground converts into methane,”. In addition, a study found that in 2016, the top three meat firms (JBS, Cargill, and Tyson) emitted more greenhouse gases than the entire country of France.

Livestock contribute to a significant percentage of carbon emissions, albeit the specific amount is debatable. Many experts have calculated that livestock contribute about 15% of the world’s carbon emissions. However, in 2009, the Worldwatch Institute found uncounted emissions that increased that number to about 51%!

Livestock also have a high water usage and contribute to water pollution. A 2010 study found that animals had significantly higher water footprints. Vegetables had a water footprint of about 322 liters/kg and fruits had a water footprint of 962 liters/kg. Meat, however, had much higher water consumption. Chicken had a water footprint of 4,325 liters/kg, pork had a water footprint of 5,988 liters/kg, and beef had an astonishingly high number of 15,415 liters/kg! The earth has growing water constraints because our freshwater sources are drying up. Runoff of animal feces into bodies of water lead to eutrophication, the excessive growth of plants and algae. This phenomenon uses up the limited supply of oxygen in the body of water at the expense of other species present.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have found that livestock is the world's largest user of land resources. They state that “grazing land and cropland dedicated to the production of feed [represent] almost 80% of all agricultural land” and “the total land area occupied by pasture is equivalent to 26% of the ice-free terrestrial surface. Large areas of land are thus used to raise animals that will be used to produce various consumer products.

How does the pharmaceutical sector play a role in environmental impact?

"...global pharmaceutical industry produces 13% more carbon emissions making medicines than car manufacturers do- despite having a market that is 28% smaller."

An article in the Journal of Cleaner Production analyzed the carbon footprint from the top 15 pharmaceutical companies and the results were unexpected. They found that the "global pharmaceutical industry is not only a significant contributor to global warming, but it also produces 13% more carbon emissions making medicines than car manufacturers do- despite having a market that is 28% smaller" (ISPE, 2021).

How can you make a difference?

One step you can take to help protect our environment is cutting your usage of products containing animal-derived ingredients, whether it is through adopting a plant based diet, or using animal-free products. VeganMed’s marketplace is a great place to start looking for animal-free products you can use in your daily life, and make your contribution to helping protect our environment!

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Original blog post with sources here.

Disclaimer:? The product and/or medical information provided on VeganMed is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product.