Respiratory

Inhalers are responsible for 3% of the NHS carbon footprint. Most of these emissions come from the propellants used in metered dose inhalers (MDIs) to deliver the medicine, rather than the medicine itself. Optimising the choice of inhaler, as part of a shared decision-making conversation between the patient and the clinician, can play a significant role in achieving the NHS net zero target.

To support this work Frimley ICB have produced an illustration of carbon emissions from MDIs versus DPIs (dry powder inhalers) as represented by miles travelled locally in a car.

In addition, Greener Practice, the UK's primary care sustainability network, have a variety of resources to support this work. The following patient information leaflets are useful.

• Inhalers and the environment- choosing an inhaler which is good for you and good for the planet
• Reducing the carbon footprint – what if a patient cannot use a DPI reliever ?