A range of new videos have been launched to encourage people with asthma to switch to a new dry powdered inhaler to benefit their health and the environment.

The videos have been created by NHS England’s South East Regional Greener team and are aimed at people living with asthma and medical professionals who prescribe the medication. They cover a range of topics from patients’ perspectives, including raising awareness of what dry powdered inhalers are. They highlight the benefits for a patient and the environment, how to choose the best inhaler and what a patient can expect at a respiratory review.

The videos will form part of a week-long campaign to raise awareness of the new dry powdered inhalers and how they can be used to reduce carbon footprints. These include:

• Michael’s story – swapping to a dry powdered inhaler
• Finding the Best inhaler for you
• Moving to a Low Carbon Inhaler
• What to expect at your annual respiratory review
• MART therapy

Inhalers are used in a variety of respiratory conditions, ranging from asthma to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The majority of the emissions come from the propellant in metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) used to deliver the medicine, rather than the medicine itself. The NHS has been collaborating with key partners to support higher quality and lower carbon respiratory care, embedding clinical recommendations into practice, and offering patients lower carbon inhalers where clinically appropriate.

Dr Vaughan Lewis SE Regional Medical Director for the NHS said: “A key ambition in the NHS’s Long Term Plan is to lower carbon emissions. Encouraging patients with asthma to consider changing to dry powdered inhalers will play a part in reducing carbon footprints. This can easily be achieved through a conversation between the patient and their prescribing clinician.

“The new videos created will help to raise awareness of carbon-free inhalers and their benefits to both patients and the environment.”

Michael, aged 81, was one of the patients who has changed to a dry-powdered inhaler. He has suffered with asthma since childhood and was prescribed pill form medication. It wasn’t until he was 30 when his GP changed his medication to inhalers and he found these much better at controlling his condition. Recently, a pharmacist at his GP practice suggested he try the new powder form inhaler which would benefit his health, as well as reducing his carbon footprint.

He said: “I was nervous after using the old inhalers for 50 years, but from the start I found it gave me more confidence as I could feel the powder going down my throat. They’re easier to use because of the short, sharp inhalation you have to take rather than the long slow ones, it felt different and tasted different.

“There is also a counter which tells you how many puffs you have used and how many you had left. This was great news safe in the knowledge that when I went on holiday I knew what I had left. Mostly only one puff was required rather than the two I had to use with the gas propelled ones. I would recommend that people at least try them and help to reduce their carbon footprint. I have found them much better.”

Resources are available for specialists, prescribers and patients to support decision-making, including National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE’s) Asthma Patient Decision Aid to support shared decision-making and a shift to low carbon inhalers.