Inhalers and the Environment: Pollution, Plastics and Policy
The broad consequences of ‘blanket unconsented switching’ of stable respiratory patients from pressurized metered dose inhalers to dry powder inhalers are reviewed and recommendations to encourage an environmentally friendly patient-centered approach are provided.
Abstract
The effects of the climate crisis have been well established with the first global efforts to address the issue made over 30 years ago. The global healthcare sector is a large contributor to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the recent focus on the respiratory care sector. However, recent directives to address these emissions include ‘blanket unconsented switching’ of stable respiratory patients from pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) to dry powder inhalers (DPIs), which has the potential to cause a multitude of serious consequences for the patient. This article reviews the broad consequences and provides recommendations to encourage an environmentally friendly patient-centered approach without causing harm to the patient