Net Zero Clinical Care 2023

Inhaler carbon footprint data and medicines optimisation tools
Karen Homan, PrescQIPP CIC and Sajida Khatri, PrescQIPP CIC

Background

•Inhalers account for 3% of all NHS carbon emissions

•NHS has committed to a 51% reduction in carbon footprint by 2025

•Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ NHS actions include to reduce carbon emissions from inhalers and substitute high with low carbon alternatives

•No comprehensive list of UK inhaler carbon footprint available

•No inhaler carbon footprint data was available in the BNF, MIMS, or SPCs, but some inhaler carbon footprint values were available in the literature

•NHS organisations needed inhaler carbon footprint data to establish the baseline, assist with the development of carbon lowering strategies and for monitoring progress

Method

PrescQIPP commissioned by the NHS to produce a definitive list of inhaler carbon footprints available in the UK and map NHS primary care organisations inhaler carbon footprint

Manufacturer inhaler carbon footprint survey of all UK inhalers between April 2021 and August 2021

Literature based estimates used for non-responders or data not available. Estimates were based on inhaler type, propellant, small or large volume

Carbon footprint per inhaler and primary care inhaler prescribing data used to map the inhaler carbon footprint of NHS organisations in England and Wales

Carbon footprint per inhaler compared across therapeutic groups to establish lower carbon footprint alternatives and the cost and carbon impact of switches to these within NHS organisations

Results

Definitive list of carbon footprints of each inhaler available in UK produced October 2021(open access available at https://www.prescqipp.info/our-resources/bulletins/bulletin-295-inhaler-carbon-footprint/

Visual data pack linking primary care prescribing data with inhaler carbon footprint values at ICB/HB/PCN and practice level available for all inhalers drilled down to product level and in numerous formats.

Inhaler switch tool allows impact of any two inhaler switches on cost and carbon footprint to be seen by NHS organisation

Look, Review, Do messages with data and key messages all on one page

Conclusions

This is the first time that inhaler carbon footprint data was available at this scale and in this form.

The inhaler carbon footprint data table has been used widely such as in national publications e.g. MIMS. NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) used the inhaler carbon footprint values in the Respiratory – Carbon Impact dashboard

ICBs/HBs have used the data to support inhaler carbon footprint reduction strategies and in medicines formulary development, e.g. Derbyshire.

Regular updates, such as adding new inhalers, making amendments to values as submitted and verified by manufacturers, means that the inhaler data table remains current going forward.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the pharmaceutical companies that supplied their inhaler carbon footprint data.

Inhaler carbon footprint QR code to webpage

Net Zero Clinical Care 2023

UK inhaler carbon footprint data table and medicines optimisation tools

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