Climate change in healthcare: Exploring the potential role of inhaler prescribing.
Pharmacol Res Perspect
; 8(6): e00675, 2020 12.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33124196
ABSTRACT
Climate change has been described as the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. As a result, governments around the world are committing to legislative change in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs). The healthcare sector makes a significant contribution to GHGEs and in line with national legislation in the UK, the NHS has recently committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The management of asthma and COPD largely depends on the prescribing of medications that are delivered through inhalers. In the UK, the use of pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs), which rely on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) propellants accounts for 3.5% of the NHS's total carbon footprint. In contrast, dry powder inhalers (DPIs) have a much lower carbon footprint due to the absence of a HFC propellant. Here we review evidence of the impact of inhaler choices across four domains environmental impact, clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and patient preferences. We find that as well as a lower global-warming potential, DPIs have additional benefits over pMDIs in other domains and should be considered first line where clinically appropriate.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Contexto em Saúde:
11_ODS3_cobertura_universal
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2_ODS3
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Prescrições de Medicamentos
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Mudança Climática
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Atenção à Saúde
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Exposição Ambiental
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Inaladores de Pó Seco
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pharmacol Res Perspect
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article