NICE encourages use of greener asthma inhalers

A new patient decision aid from NICE will help people with asthma choose the inhaler that is best for them and best for the environment.

The aid, which highlights that some inhalers have a much higher carbon footprint than others, will help people with asthma, alongside health professionals, to identify which inhalers could meet their needs and control their symptoms. Where several inhalers could be viable options, patients can opt for the more environmentally friendly option, which may help to cut the health service’s carbon footprint.

The aid describes the different types of inhaler which may be used by the estimated 5.4 million people in the UK who have asthma, and how to use them effectively.

Partially funded by the Sustainable Development Unit, the new aid also says that all used inhalers should be returned to local pharmacies for environmentally safe disposal or recycling.

Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive of NICE, said: “This aid will help people make shared decisions on which inhaler is right for them, and help them use that inhaler effectively. This can help them to control their asthma, rather than have their asthma control them.

“People who need to use metered dose inhalers should absolutely continue to do so – but if you have the choice of a green option, do think about the environment. Cutting carbon emissions is good news for everyone, especially those with respiratory conditions.”