The NHS are working toward reducing the Carbon Footprint by reviewing their prescribing pattern, the document ‘Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service’ highlights the long term plan to reduce carbon emissions.

Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) use hydrofluoroalkanes (HFA) propellants which are potent greenhouse gases, 1000 – 3000 times more potent than carbon dioxide. MDIs account for almost 25% of a GP’s prescribing Carbon Footprint.

Salbutamol (Ventolin) inhalers have more than double the carbon footprint of other Salbutamol MDI s, so we have switched your inhaler to Salamol which delivers the same amount of the active ingredient and works in the same way. The container is slightly smaller, but contains the same amount of doses. Your pharmacy may have already given you this brand in the past.

Please always ensure that you take any used or unwanted inhalers back to your Community Pharmacy for appropriate disposal. Inhalers should not be put into household waste as this allows release of remaining HFAs into the atmosphere.