U.S. Contraceptive Pills Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in the U.S. Contraceptive PillsIndustry

The birth control pill or the contraceptive pill is nothing but the pill which is consumed orally by women to control pregnancy.

This pill contains ingredients that have a direct and indirect negative impact on the environment. In addition to this, the outer package of the pills has a significant impact as well. Furthermore, globally women consume contraceptive pills with the primary purpose of preventing pregnancy. It is also critical to remember, however, that understanding the later life of the pill is closely linked to its adverse environmental and health effects.

Initiatives by Major Companies in Pharma Industry

The top companies do understand the importance of negative impacts that ultimately impact the ecosystem. A variety of efforts have been implemented to address this challenge, including pharmaceutical companies striving to use green packaging for their consumer products. Additionally, recycled materials are used in the packaging with a maximum percentage of the materials used being recycled. The impact of these endocrine disruptors on marine life has also encouraged firms to be aware of their solutions' ecological footprint and to strive to reduce it. In order to determine the predicted environmental concentrations, as well as the, predicted no effects concentrations, they will conduct an environmental risk assessment for their products. Furthermore, if the predicted environmental concentration/predicted no effect concentration ratio of a product is below 1, it means that the use of this product will have no effect on the environment.

Sustainable Packaging

As plastic is commonly found in the packaging of pills, it is one of the major contributors and is a pollutant that negatively impacts the environment. To overcome this issue, sustainable packaging has been implemented in the pharmaceutical industry. The pharma industry faces a significant challenge in preventing plastic containers from entering the environment. If these containers aren't disposed of properly, they pose a significant threat to the environment. The materials used in sustainable packaging have a minimal impact on the environment. Pharma industry efforts towards sustainable packaging have seen positive development. The industry is benefiting greatly from the use of biodegradable packaging materials and other alternatives to plastic. As we move towards eco-friendly packaging materials, recycled paper and cardboard are increasingly being used. Additionally, sustainable materials such as cornstarch gelatin, sugar cane, pectin, and wheat bran are also being utilized in sustainable packaging processes.

ESG Risks

When pills are excreted into the environment, washed into sewage systems, and washed into rivers, they pose a significant health threat. Even at very low concentrations, this chemical is harmful to fish. As a result of the presence of natural and synthetic steroidal estrogens, the marine ecosystem is being negatively impacted. Water pollution from the waste released by birth control pills contains Ethinyl estradiol (EE2), a hormone that affects aquatic organisms. Further, it was observed that synthetic estrogen has a negative impact on a section of the fish, where it causes fathead minnows to disappear after coming into contact.  Additional health risks are associated with birth control pills, which include irregular menstrual cycles, pre-menstrual symptoms, high blood pressure, and heavy or painful periods. Moreover, birth control pills can also cause blood clots if they are used more than they should.

Moreover, there is a risk associated with the packaging of the pills. Since plastic is a major polluter, it negatively affects the environment. Several solutions have been implemented to eliminate the harmful effects of plastic which is specifically used in the packaging in the pharma industry.

Solutions to the Birth Control Pills

According to our analysis, charcoal filtering is the most effective method of removing chemicals such as ethinyl-estradiol (EE2) from wastewater. Additionally, this will have an optimal impact on the environment.

Pharma’s Unique Challenges

One of the key challenges faced by the pharma industry is the use of non-biodegradable plastic or materials that are not recyclable. Sustainability is gaining rapid momentum in the pharma industry as it is one of the most prioritized things. Pharma is becoming more sustainable as a result of cross-industry collaboration, investments in research and development, and a focus on packaging throughout its lifecycle.

Growth of the U.S. Contraceptive Pills Market

The U.S. contraceptive pills market size was valued at around USD 8.0 billion in 2021 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 4.70% in the forecast period. An increase in the use of modern contraceptives and a rise in awareness among adolescents and the young population about sexual health and family planning are key factors that drive the U.S. market growth. Furthermore, the research highlights key aspects of the market.

    • Merck & Co. Inc

    • Bayer AG; Allergan

    • Afaxys, Inc

    • Mayer Laboratories, Inc

    • Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

    • Agile Therapeutics

    • TherapeuticsMD Inc

    • Reckitt Benckiser Plc

    • Pfizer, Inc

    • Cooper Surgical

    • Church & Dwight Co Inc

    • Mithra Pharmaceuticals

Scope of the U.S. Contraceptive Pills Industry ESG Thematic Report

    • Macro-economic and ESG-variable analysis of the industry, including regulatory, policy, and innovation landscape

    • Key insights on infrastructure developments and ESG issues affecting the theme

    • Identify key initiatives and challenges within the industry

    • Identify ESG leaders within the industry

    • Understand key initiatives and the impact of companies within the sector to fuel an informed decision-making process

    • Analysis of industry activities based on multi-media sources, including significant controversies and market sentiment

Key Benefits of U.S. Contraceptive Pills Industry ESG Thematic Report

    • Developing a comprehensive understanding of macro-economic, Policies & Regulations and innovations affecting the market, globally

    • Key insights into Infrastructure developments and ESG issues affecting the theme

    • Identifying ESG risks and opportunities to business among leading players in the industry

    • Obtaining a clear and relevant understanding of company actions, progress, and impact and find opportunities for investment