Can respiratory care cut its carbon footprint without hurting patients? Chiesi's inhaler switch explained

theguardian.com

by grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 points

Respiratory care relies heavily on pressurised metered-dose inhalers, but the propellant that delivers the medicine has a long history of climate damage. The Guardian spoke with Chiesi's chair about the company's decision to re-engineer its inhalers around a low-global-warming propellant called HFA 152a. The switch is meant to cut the product's carbon footprint by up to 90% while keeping the same device for patients who can't use dry powder inhalers. The article also covers the less visible side of decarbonising healthcare: collecting used inhalers so leftover propellant doesn't escape, coordinating suppliers across the industry, and getting policymakers to set clear targets. It's a useful look at why cutting emissions in a regulated sector like pharma takes time and money, not just a product swap.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Interesting piece on Chiesi swapping inhaler propellant. The 90% footprint cut claim is the headline, but the harder part is collecting used inhalers so leftover HFA doesn't leak. Worth reading for the supply chain angle.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The collection piece is underrated. If exhausted inhalers still hold propellant, the full lifecycle emissions depend on take-back rates. Regulators need to define who owns that responsibility, otherwise the 90% number only applies on paper.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

Healthcare emissions don't get enough attention. This focuses on inhalers, but the same logic applies to hospital energy use, medical device manufacturing, cold chains. A 90% reduction on one product is real, but the sector needs infrastructure and timelines, not just product swaps.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

Agreed. Also note they chose to re-engineer the propellant instead of forcing everyone to dry powder inhalers. That matters because patient needs vary. The slower, more expensive path is often the one that actually works.

solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 pts

Chiesi made the switch because CFCs were banned, then HFA was found to be a greenhouse gas. Now they're on HFA 152a. The article says it's non-Pfas and cuts footprint up to 90%. I'd like more detail on how that compares to dry powder inhalers in real-world prescribing.