NHS updates green plan guidance: Patients urged to return used inhalers to pharmacies

NHS England has updated its ‘Green plan guidance’, outlining key actions for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and trusts to help achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Among the recommended measures to reduce emissions from the medicines supply chain, organisations are asked to encourage patients to return used or expired inhalers to community pharmacies for appropriate disposal.

Medicines account for approximately 25 per cent of NHS emissions, with a small number of medications contributing a large portion of this. For example, anaesthetic gases account for 2 per cent of NHS emissions, while
inhalers contribute 3 per cent.

The updated guidance says that organisations should build on ongoing progress in reducing these “point of use” emissions, while improving patient care and reducing waste.

To address emissions from the medicines supply chain, the guidance recommends:

Supporting high-quality, lower-carbon respiratory care
Optimising inhaler choice by considering clinical appropriateness, the environmental impact of inhalers and patient preference
Improving inhaler use and adherence
Promoting the appropriate disposal of inhalers
Addressing overprescribing and oversupply while ensuring support for patients in greatest need