Trosnant Lodge Surgery are committed to helping the NHS reduce their carbon footprint and we are currently reviewing our own practices to look for changes we can make to help shape an environmentally friendly and sustainable future.
One change that we have identified is converting patients from Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) to Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) where appropriate. But to make a real change, we need the help of our patients, especially you.
What are Metered Dose Inhalers and Dry Powder Inhalers?
MDIs use a pressurised propellant within the aerosol chamber to help administer the medicine. The propellants used in these inhalers are potent greenhouse gases which cause damage to the ozone layer.
DPIs are new inhalers, where the medicine is released when the patient breathes in on the inhaler. This means there is no need for the pressurised propellant.
Why are these inhaler changes important?
As mentioned, MDIs use greenhouse gases as their propellants. This means that on average, 100 doses of an MDI releases carbon emissions equivalent to that released during a 180 mile drive in a care. On the other hand, DPIs release 18 times LESS carbon emissions than MDIs.
Climate change is also an important determinant of social and physical health. So, in other words, reducing climate change will not only have a positive impact on the environment, but could also improve our health in general.
How will changing to a DPI affect me?
The medication and dose you receive will remain the same, so it shouldn’t have any impact on your health. The only aspect that will change is the device that delivers the medication.
Some people find that using a DPI is easier, as they do not require the hand-breath coordination that is required by MDIs.
Of course, should you decide that you prefer your original MDI after trying the DPI, a switch back can be discussed.
Inhaler technique
When changing inhalers, it is important that patients know the correct technique for their new inhaler.
Please find information on how to correct use your inhaler via this link: How to use your inhaler | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk).
What happens next?
Your health comes first, so changes will only happen where it is suitable for the patient. If you are suitable for a change you will either:
- Have a review of your inhalers at your annual asthma review.
- Receive a text message from the surgery informing you that your inhalers have been changed from an MDI to a DPI
- Receive a telephone call from the surgery informing you that your inhalers have been changed from an MDI to a DPI
We are also reviewing our Ventolin prescribing. This is the most commonly used inhaler in the U.K. Ventolin is actually the brand name (like Hoover for vacuum cleaners), with the active ingredient being Salbutamol. Ventolin is a particularly large volume inhaler, with lots of propellant. Changing to a smaller volume MDI, such as Salamol, means a lot less of the harmful propellant is released into the environment.
Remember, good asthma control looks like using your blue inhaler 3 times per week or 2 inhalers a year.
Recycle?
All inhalers should be returned to a pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
If you have not yet heard from the surgery about a switch from an MDI inhaler to a DPI inhaler, but are interested in switching, please send an email to enquiries.w93055@wales.nhs.uk with the subject “inhaler switch” and your name, DOB and address in the body of the email.
