A new international collaboration between the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) and Ulster University in the United Kingdom, is set to deepen research collaboration and professional exchange while advancing sustainable community pharmacy practices across both institutions’ networks.

The partnership, supported by the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), brings together academic researchers and frontline pharmacists to jointly explore how community pharmacies can adopt environmentally responsible practices without compromising patient care. Central to the initiative is research into the behavioural drivers that influence sustainability in pharmacy operations, including pharmaceutical waste management, safe medicines disposal and environmental stewardship.

Through this collaboration, researchers and practitioners from both institutions are working together to co-develop a country-specific capacity-building roadmap that will guide national efforts to integrate sustainable practices into community pharmacy operations. The initiative is expected to generate practical recommendations for regulators, professional bodies and policymakers. The goal is to co-develop practical knowledge and solutions that can inform sustainable pharmacy practice within different health system contexts.

A key outcome of the collaboration will be the development of a capacity-building roadmap for sustainable community pharmacy practice, shaped through joint research and stakeholder engagement. Findings from the project are expected to inform professional practice discussions within the Pharmacy community and contribute to broader international conversations on sustainable healthcare delivery.

For the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, the collaboration aligns with one of its strategic pillars for the year — strengthening international partnerships to promote professional exchange, research collaboration and global engagement for Ghanaian pharmacists. The Society’s International Partnerships Committee has played a key role in facilitating this collaboration as part of its mandate to expand meaningful global linkages for the profession.

Through the partnership, community pharmacists will also be actively involved in shaping the project’s outcomes by sharing frontline experiences and contributing to discussions on practical strategies for improving sustainability in pharmacy practice. This engagement ensures that both research and policy recommendations are grounded in real-world practice.

For Ulster University, the initiative reflects its long-standing commitment to internationally relevant research and civic engagement. As Northern Ireland’s civic university, Ulster is known for partnerships that translate research into meaningful societal impact while fostering global academic cooperation. The university’s research agenda is also closely aligned with the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which encourage collaborative approaches to addressing global health and environmental challenges.

Stakeholders from both institutions note that collaborations of this nature demonstrate how international academic–professional partnerships can generate shared knowledge, strengthen professional networks and contribute to the global advancement of sustainable healthcare systems.