Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to reduce the environmental impact of NHS prescribed pharmaceuticals.

The National Health Service is leading by example in sustainable development and reducing its use of natural resources. As set out in its Long Term Plan, the NHS restated its commitment to the carbon targets in the United Kingdom Government Climate Change Act 2008, reducing carbon emissions (on a 1990 baseline) by:

- 34% by 2020; and

- 51% by 2025

In particular, the NHS Long Term Plan commits that a substantial reduction in the carbon impact of inhalers and anaesthetics over 10 years, will contribute to the overall NHS carbon reduction targets.

Work is also underway to consider how other NHS prescribed medicines can help the NHS achieve these commitments.