Health-care Resource Requirements and Potential Financial Consequences of an Environmentally Driven Switch in Respiratory Inhaler Use in England

Background: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, national initiatives advocate the phasing down of respiratory inhalers that use a fluorinated gas as a propellant (pressurised metered-dose inhalers [pMDI]). Nevertheless, pMDIs continue to be an effective and common choice. Objective: To assess the potential financial impact of patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) switching from pMDIs to dry powder inhalers (DPIs) in a representative primary care network (PCN) population of 50 000 and the English National Health Service (NHS). Methods: Epidemiological data were combined with current inhaler use patterns to estimate the resources and costs associated with this transition, varying patient acceptance scenarios. Results: Depending on the approach, resource requirements ranged from £18 000 – £53 000 for a PCN, and from £21 – £60 million for the English NHS. Discussion: Significant funds are needed to successfully manage targeted inhaler transitions, together with counselling and follow-up appointment with an appropriately skilled clinician to assess the patient’s inhaler technique and ensure disease control. Conclusions: Targeted transition of inhalers must achieve a balance between environmental impacts, organisational factors, and patient requirements. The resources for managing a switch can be substantial but are necessary to appropriately counsel and support patients, whilst protecting the environment.