Inhaler prescribing: reducing carbon footprint and optimising long-term asthma management

Inhalers contribute to approximately 3% of the NHS’s greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to the fluorinated gases used as propellants in metered-dose inhalers. NHS England aims to move away from metered-dose inhalers towards alternatives with a lower carbon footprint, such as dry powder inhalers, where clinically indicated. This article explores the intersection of asthma care and environmental sustainability. It provides an overview of inhaler types and their clinical use and carbon footprint. In parallel, it discusses the need to reduce uncontrolled asthma as well as the reliance on short-acting beta 2-agonists, which have been linked to increased risk of asthma exacerbations and asthma-related hospitalisations and deaths. It outlines strategies for optimising both inhaler prescribing and long-term asthma management in primary care. By implementing greener practice in inhalers and treatments for asthma, primary care nurses can improve patient outcomes while helping the NHS to reduce its carbon footprint.