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This measure supports work to reduce the impact of medicines issued in hospitals on the overall environmental impact of the NHS.
Percentage of inhaler doses that are from metered dose inhalers (MDIs), excluding salbutamol inhalers.
We divide the number of MDI inhaler doses by the total number of inhaler doses and then multiply that by 100 to obtain the % each month. We do not include salbutamol inhalers in these calculations or inhalers which are used outside of the management of common respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
The updated BTS/NICE/SIGN guidance on asthma management recommends basing inhaler choice on:
The NHS has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 80% by 2028 to 2032, including a shift to lower carbon inhalers. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and other newer types of inhalers like soft mist inhalers are less harmful to the environment than traditional metered dose inhalers (MDIs).
The NHS England National Medicines Optimisation Opportunities for 2024/25 identify reducing carbon emissions from inhalers as an area for improvement.
NICE has produced an inhaler decision aid to facilitate discussion about inhaler options.
Trusts are only included in this measure if they have issued any products included in the denominator for this measure.
For this measure, 222/225 Trusts are included. A full list of Trusts included is available on the Submission History page.