Title: Green Chemistry Approaches In Pharmaceutical Synthesis: Toward Sustainable Drug Development
Authors: Ahmed Attahiru
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Pages: 13-16
Publication Date: 2025/09/28
Abstract:
The demand for sustainable pharmaceutical development has intensified in recent decades, owing to the environmental, economic, and regulatory challenges associated with conventional drug synthesis. Green chemistry offers a guiding framework for designing processes that minimize waste, reduce toxicity, improve atom economy, and utilize renewable feedstocks. The integration of these principles in pharmaceutical sciences has the potential to transform how drugs are discovered, synthesized, and manufactured, aligning innovation with global sustainability goals. This review critically examines advances in green chemistry approaches for pharmaceutical synthesis, with a focus on catalytic strategies, solvent innovations, continuous-flow processing, renewable feedstock utilization, and computational design. Case studies of drugs produced through green routes highlight practical applications and benefits, while an evaluation of challenges and limitations underscores areas requiring further attention. Methodology for this review included a systematic literature search from 2015 to 2025 across databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Peer-reviewed studies, patents, and regulatory documents were analyzed thematically to synthesize emerging trends and opportunities. Findings reveal that catalysis, continuous-flow technologies, and biocatalysis are among the most promising drivers of green transformation in drug synthesis. Regulatory perspectives, policy frameworks, and future prospects are also discussed, highlighting the role of digital tools and artificial intelligence in advancing sustainable drug development. The review concludes that embedding green chemistry principles into pharmaceutical synthesis not only benefits the environment but also enhances process efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and patient safety, paving the way for sustainable innovation in global healthcare.