Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing

Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing

At South African Pharmacy (SA Pharmacy), sustainability and ethical sourcing are not trends we follow—they are responsibilities we take seriously.

As an international pharmacy serving customers around the world, we recognise that how products are sourced, handled, and delivered matters, not only to our customers’ health, but also to the communities and environments connected to our supply chain.

Our Ethical Sourcing Principles

SA Pharmacy is committed to sourcing products in a manner that is:

  • Responsible

  • Transparent

  • Respectful of regulatory and ethical standards

We work with established South African pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers who operate within recognised legal and quality frameworks. We avoid informal or unverified supply channels that compromise product integrity or ethical accountability.

Supporting Regulated Supply Chains

By sourcing from regulated supply chains, we help ensure that:

  • Products are manufactured under appropriate quality controls

  • Workers are protected by labour and safety standards

  • Traceability and accountability are maintained throughout distribution

Ethical sourcing begins with choosing partners who operate responsibly.

Sustainability in Packaging & Materials

Pharmaceutical products are often subject to strict packaging requirements to ensure safety and stability. While this limits some sustainability options, SA Pharmacy takes a balanced approach by:

  • Avoiding unnecessary repackaging

  • Using manufacturer packaging as supplied

  • Minimising additional packing materials where possible

  • Choosing protective packaging that reduces damage and waste

We continually review packaging practices to reduce environmental impact without compromising product safety.

Responsible Inventory Management

Waste reduction is a key part of sustainability.

SA Pharmacy manages inventory carefully by:

  • Monitoring expiry dates closely

  • Rotating stock responsibly

  • Avoiding overstocking that leads to unnecessary disposal

Products that do not meet our quality or shelf-life standards are removed from sale.

Ethical International Trade

As an international pharmacy, we are mindful of the broader implications of cross-border trade.

We aim to:

  • Export responsibly and within legal frameworks

  • Avoid practices that encourage misuse or overconsumption

  • Promote personal-use purchasing rather than commercial reselling

Ethical trade supports long-term access—not short-term exploitation.

Respect for Customers & Communities

Ethical business is also about how customers are treated.

SA Pharmacy commits to:

  • Honest communication

  • Transparent policies

  • Clear expectations around shipping and customs

  • Respect for cultural and regulatory differences across countries

Trust, once broken, is difficult to restore—so we prioritise integrity in every interaction.

Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is an ongoing process, not a final destination.

We regularly review:

  • Supplier practices

  • Packaging efficiency

  • Shipping methods

  • Customer feedback related to environmental and ethical concerns

Where improvements are practical and responsible, we implement them.

What We Do Not Claim

To maintain transparency, SA Pharmacy does not make claims that cannot be verified or sustained.

We do not:

  • Claim to be carbon neutral

  • Market products as “eco-friendly” without evidence

  • Overstate our environmental impact

We believe honesty is a cornerstone of ethical business.

Our Sustainability Commitment

SA Pharmacy is committed to:

  • Ethical sourcing

  • Responsible trade

  • Waste reduction where feasible

  • Transparency over marketing slogans

We may be a pharmacy—but we are also part of a global community. Our responsibility extends beyond transactions.

South African Pharmacy
Responsible sourcing. Ethical practices. Global care.