Furnace House Surgery is committed to help the NHS reach their target of being totally carbon neutral by 2040.

The traditional asthma inhaler, also know as the pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) is the most prescribed asthma inhaler in the UK.  However, MDI’s usually have a plastic case and a metal canister.  MDI’s make up 70% of inhalers prescribed in the UK, causing 3% of the NHS’ overall carbon emissions.  The carbon footprint of one blue inhaler is the same as driving a small car 175 miles. 

  • For this reason, the NHS is encouraging healthcare professionals to give people over the age of 12 the option of changing to a lower-carbon inhaler.

A greener alternative to the MDI is the Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI). These are used in a slightly different way to the old inhalers but are just as easy to use. Switching onto a DPI inhaler will not affect your asthma control. In fact, if you are on a maintenance (steroid) inhaler as well as a reliever (SABA) inhaler, switching to a combined DPI inhaler such as Symbicort may even improve your asthma control. 

  • Examples of inhalers with a LARGE carbon footprint: Salamol, Ventolin, Soprobec, Clenil, QVAR Easi-breathe and  Fostair pMDI. 

Examples of more sustainable inhalers: Symbicort, Bricanyl, Pulmicort,  Fobumix Easyhaler, Fostair Nexthaler, Flixotide Accuhaler, Relvar Ellipta and  Spioloto Respimat.