Point of view: A proposed roadmap for sustainable inhaler use in the UK that could support the NHS net zero ambition

In this opinion article, Inhalation talks with Alex Wilkinson and Gregor Anderson about aspects of a potential sustainability roadmap for inhalation platforms that could lead to reaching the UK’s National Health Service net zero goal. They believe that while new propellants are a major step forward, much more work must be done to meet this challenge.

The authors believe the industry needs an inhaler sustainability roadmap that would include the active pharmaceutical ingredients, device, packaging, transportation and other factors. It should consider eliminating, or at least reducing, waste throughout the “cradle to grave” lifecycle, utilize and inhaler recycling/recovery, and have clear targets and key performance indicators. The authors also discuss other sustainability and circular concepts such as use of a Green Guide. That could set out “rules” for a business and its suppliers to follow when developing devices and address the “7R’s,” which are reduce, remove, refill, renew, reward, respect and recycle.