In light of the current global health and environmental challenges, the concept of “green pharmaceuticals” has emerged as an innovative approach that combines medicine and biopharming to provide more sustainable therapeutic solutions. This approach relies on using plants and crops, either genetically modified or organically cultivated, to produce natural pharmaceutical compounds or therapeutic proteins that can be applied in prevention and treatment. This represents a qualitative shift in the pharmaceutical industry, as complex and costly industrial processes are replaced with environmentally friendly agricultural methods that are more aligned with the principles of sustainable development—particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which aims to enhance access to safe and effective medicines.<br />Green pharmaceuticals offer several advantages, most notably lower costs compared to traditional manufacturing methods and the ability to produce large quantities of medicines rapidly through agricultural expansion. This approach also enables the production of biologically pure pharmaceutical compounds while reducing the risks associated with the use of chemicals or animal-derived sources. Such practices align with Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, as they minimize chemical waste and promote environmentally responsible pharmaceutical production. For example, research efforts have successfully developed plant-based vaccines and therapeutic antibodies using genetically modified crops such as maize and tobacco.<br />Nevertheless, implementing this approach faces scientific and regulatory challenges, the most critical of which is ensuring production quality and compliance with strict pharmaceutical standards. However, advances in genetic engineering and smart agricultural technologies increase the potential to overcome these obstacles, which aligns with Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, supporting innovation in medical and industrial fields.<br />Furthermore, reducing reliance on energy-intensive traditional pharmaceutical industries contributes to lowering carbon emissions, thereby reinforcing Goal 13: Climate Action by mitigating environmental impact and adapting to climate change challenges. Additionally, the use of medicinal crops supports the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, in line with Goal 15: Life on Land.<br />It is expected that green pharmaceuticals will play a pivotal role in the near future—not only in enhancing global healthcare but also in strengthening the path of sustainable development worldwide. Thus, biopharming represents a genuine bridge between the land and medicine, offering innovative therapies that are fairer, more affordable, and more sustainable for humanity, while serving multiple strategic goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda.<br /><br /><br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University is the first one university in Iraq.<br /><br />