In Part 2 of HBW Insight’s conversation with sustainability leader Steve Ramus, we dig into the practical realities shaping the future of sustainability in consumer health, from what consumers are actually willing to pay for, to why packaging, supply chains and long‑term planning remain some of the industry’s toughest challenges.

Drawing on two decades of sustainability and ESG experience, Ramus explains how consumer price sensitivity varies across markets, why sustainability can ultimately make companies more efficient, and how inflation complicates the conversation.

We also explore the complex world of pharmaceutical packaging — where safety, stability and regulation often collide with expectations around plastics, recyclability and waste — and why progress, though slow, cannot stall.

Timestamps:

2:00 – Will consumers pay more for sustainable OTCs?

7:00 – You don’t want to be unsustainable

9:00 – ESG is good for business

10:00 – Retailer expectations

15:00 – The state of play in OTC packaging

20:00 – The challenge of replacing plastic

23:00 – The challenge of recycling

27:00 – Sustainability priorities right now

31:00 – Supply chain

32:00 – The life of a sustainability professional

Guest Bio:

Steve Ramus is a global sustainability and ESG executive with 20 years of experience aligning strategy with business growth, risk mitigation, and value creation. As former Vice President of Sustainability & ESG at Perrigo, he led: ESG reporting, climate strategy, responsible sourcing, human rights due diligence, packaging circularity, community engagement and other initiatives that improved ESG ratings, delivered cost savings, and generated millions in incremental revenue. Steve advanced his career within the business having led teams in both HR and Sales, prior to his roles in sustainability.