[Translated article] Environmental impact of inhaled therapies in a cystic fibrosis unit: Strategies for sustainability.

Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Farmacia hospitalaria : organo oficial de expresion cientifica de la Sociedad Espanola de Farmacia HospitalariaGómez-Ganda Laura, García-Palop Beatriz, Mariscal-Puig Arnau, et al.Published 1/1/2025Last synced 5/24/2026Status: syncedPMID: 40288920DOI: 10.1016/j.farma.2025.02.002

Inhaled therapy is essential in cystic fibrosis; however, inhalers have a significant environmental impact due to the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted. The environmental impact of a product is estimated by its carbon footprint (CF). Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) have a higher CF than dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and soft mist inhalers (SMIs) due to the incorporation of GHGs. The objectives are to analyze the consumption of inhalers (β2-adrenergic agonist bronchodilators, anticholinergics, and/or corticosteroids) in a cystic fibrosis unit and estimate the generated CF. Retrospective determination (January 2018-December 2023) of consumption and CF (tCOeq) by type of inhaler was conducted. Consumption and CF trends were evaluated using linear regression. Annually, 1.529 (1.279-1.613) pMDIs, 1.055 (855-1.333) DPIs, and 28 (20-42) SMIs were dispensed, representing 55.97%, 42.33%, and 1.70%, respectively. A statistically significant positive trend in the consumption of SMIs was observed. The median annual CF was: pMDIs 38.3 (31.2-40.3) tCOeq, DPIs 0.8 (0.6-0.9) tCOeq, and SMIs 0.02 (0.02-0.03) tCOeq, representing 97.86%, 2.04%, and 0.10%, respectively. pMDIs were the inhalers with the highest consumption and CF, although their consumption appears to be decreasing, with an increase in the consumption of SMIs.

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