Inhaler switch could save tons of emissions

Switching to carbon minimal pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs) could save up to 619,000 tons of emissions each year, representing up to 7%-10% of NHS Net Zero targets, according to a report from the Office of Health Economics (OHE) and Chiesi.

Currently 42 million pMDIs are prescribed to people with lung diseases every year in the UK, but next generation, carbon minimal inhalers have been reformulated with gases with low global warming potential (GWP) to reduce overall climate impact. The devices are currently being tested in clinical studies to assess whether a transition can be made while preserving clinical effectiveness.

Data from the report reveals that, in the UK, switching to carbon minimal pMDIs could save between 415,000 and 619,000 tCOâ‚‚e (tonnes of carbon equivalent) annually. This could reduce emissions by 1,720-2,513 kgCOâ‚‚e per patient with asthma over their lifetime.

Grace Hampson, Health Economist and Associate Director at the OHE, said: ‘Climate change threatens human health and adds pressure to already overburdened health systems. It is therefore critical that health systems consider how emissions can be reduced. Our report demonstrates that it is possible to value the incremental greenhouse gas emissions of different pMDIs, particularly where clinical equivalence can be assumed. We also set out a compelling case for a transition to carbon minimal pMDIs, demonstrating the substantial reduction in emissions which could be achieved.’

NHS England estimates that around 25% of its own carbon emissions come from medicines, with inhalers contributing 2%.