Descriptive analysis of PBS dispensing data between 1 January 2019 and 30 November 2023, based on UK estimates of emissions per inhaler. Findings: 14.4 million PBS-subsidised inhalers dispensed in 2019, increasing to 15.5 million in 2023, primarily caused by an increas in high-emission inhalers (8.2 million to 9.2 million) estimated emissions increased from 217 510 t to…
TSANZ has published a position statement advocating for the use of DPI or soft-mist inhalers, as ‘green inhalers’. It is a good resource for deep understanding of the carbon footprint of inhalers, current practices/context and their impact. Some facts include: – Over 8 millions of pMDIs were dispensed in Australia in 2022 – Percentage of…
A Victorian retrospective pharmacy-based database search of all inpatient inhaler dispensing from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Findings: – 9,246 inhalers were dispensed in a year, of which 79% were MDIs and accounted for 99% of the total inhaler carbon footprint – Salbutamol MDI (51%), ipratropium MDI (12.5%)…
A study in 668 adults asthma patients looked at the carbon footprint of inhalers and found that as needed budesonide-formoterol DPI (e.g. Symbicort) resulted in: – 95.8% less carbon emission than as-needed salbutamol pMDI (e.g. Ventolin) – 93.6% less carbon emission than maintenance budesonide DPI + as-needed salbutamol pMDI Note: this is a rather small…
A study including 236K participants with poorly controlled asthma in the UK reported that poorly controlled asthma results in: – 3 times the carbon emissions of well-controlled asthma (on average) – Excess was largely driven (90%) by inappropriate use of SABA.
Researchers analysed the carbon footprint of inhaled medications in Europe using 2020 European sales data, and estimated the emissions of different treatment regimens on Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) step 2. Findings: – There is potential to reduce the carbon footprint of inhaled medications by 85% if DPIs are preferred over pMDIs. – For moderate…