Throughout history, urban areas have created opportunities for employment, economic growth, and improved living standards. Addressing the challenges of climate change in urban environments requires greater engagement across all sectors and levels, from the local to regional and from infrastructure to social centers.
For this reason, November 20 has been designated Urbanization Day at COP29 and is the launch date for the Multisectoral Actions Pathway (MAP) for Resilient and Healthy Cities. The program highlights the critical role of urban communities in combating climate change and emphasizes the importance of multisectoral collaboration to build resilient and healthy cities.
Driving urban sustainability
Farmácia San Pablo, Mexico’s leading pharmacy retail chain, is an exemplar in this area.
By their very nature as accessible and trusted community hubs for healthcare and wellness, pharmacies play an essential role. They serve multiple functions that go beyond dispensing medications and can contribute to public health, resilience, and urban well-being in many ways.
Pharmacies are usually the first stop for people seeking health advice or medication, especially in communities with limited access to healthcare facilities. They provide essential services like vaccinations, health screenings, and consultations, enabling preventive care and early intervention that can reduce the burden on hospitals. Pharmacies play a critical role in spreading awareness about disease prevention, lifestyle choices, and managing chronic conditions, which contributes to a more informed and health-conscious community.
They also play a critical role in promoting sustainability in healthcare.
Pharmacies often lead in pharmaceutical waste disposal programs, allowing patients to return expired medications, preventing environmental contamination, and reducing the ecological impact of pharmaceuticals. Many pharmacies are adopting sustainable practices by reducing plastic packaging, promoting eco-friendly products, and managing energy use in their facilities. By doing so, they help create cleaner, greener urban spaces and encourage consumers to make sustainable health choices.
Leading by example
Farmácia San Pablo has been in the business for 85 years. The company has always operated on the basis of sustainable practices, but last year it decided to achieve B Corporation certification. Unlike other business certifications, this one is unique in its ability to measure a company’s entire social and environmental impact.
Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. They are required to meet high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits to supply chain practices. How is such measurement possible?
“When we talk about sustainability, we’re talking about a development model that can meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations. It’s a holistic approach that considers the social, environmental, and economic impacts of today’s decision and actions,” says the company’s chief human resources officer, Carmina Sander. “For us, the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework is not just a guiding principle; it’s also a business driver.”
The pharmacy retail chain’s model is rooted in a strong foundation of people development and empowerment. Hiring people with no experience—including many who have not completed high school—and growing them from the inside, for example, allows employees to learn every aspect of the business while building confidence and knowledge along the way. The company implemented SAP Business Technology Platform, as well as a broad range of SAP SuccessFactors solutions, to underpin an employee strategy that promotes meaningful work and personal growth.
Fulfilling the mission
At the same time, Farmácia San Pablo needed a way to measure its overall impact. The company had formalized many social and environmental initiatives and was gathering huge volumes of data but couldn’t monitor all of this data with existing tools. In order to improve traceability, data management, and data quality, the company implemented the SAP Sustainability Control Tower solution.
Functionality in this solution allows for a more efficient and cost-effective way to collect, track, and manage data from disparate sources. The pharmacy chain made social KPIs more traceable and transparent and now has more accurate data and deeper insights on performance.
The solution also helped identify potential supply chain and partnering opportunities. “With comprehensive data, extensive supply chain improvements are now possible, whether across supplier activities, distribution methods, or energy consumption,” says Sander. “We’re now better able to certify both ourselves and partners in areas such as ESG performance, energy management, and financials.”
Farmácia San Pablo had already experienced multiple social benefits from its earlier implementation of SAP SuccessFactors solutions. By integrating these with SAP Sustainability Control Tower and linking sustainability efforts with employee empowerment programs, the company has taken its ESG initiatives to a whole new level. Sustainability and other projects can now be seeded across diverse areas and flourish with cross-functional collaboration.
By integrating sustainability into their operations, pharmacy chains like Farmácia San Pablo can support healthier urban environments and contribute to the overall resilience of cities. With their unique role in the health sector and widespread presence in urban spaces, they are well-positioned to lead positive change in the community. This makes pharmacies ideal partners in any multisectoral collaboration efforts to build resilient and healthy cities.
Read the full story of Farmácia San Pablo’s sustainability journey.
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