Inhaler case study

Metered dosed inhalers and anaesthetic gases account for 5% of the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) healthcare’s carbon footprint.

In this section we will look at 2 cases studies led by pharmacists. One from London, UK (video) and one from Catalonia in Spain (attached PDF).

Ravijoyt Saggu is a pharmacist and Honorary clinical lecturer at University College London. She is also the Medicines Optimisation Lead Pharmacist, a clinical member – Respiratory Clinical Reference Group (NHSE), Chair UKCPA Respiratory committee and was the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical fellow in 2021-2022.

In the slides in the video she describes how they undertook their sustainability project, a change in metered doe inhalr (MDIs) to dry powder inhalers (DPIs). The slides and voice-over were created and done by Dr Manu-Priya Sharma.

Ravijoyt’s top tips

• If you have a sustainability idea, turn it into practice. Consider the ‘What, Why and How?’ Be tenacious but clear on what you’re doing and want to achieve so you can take people with you on your journey
• Consider the drivers and obstacles you might face and how you might address them (including things both in and out of your control).
• Use your power, alone and collectively. Find like-minded people. Consider using a stakeholder map, and use networks and communities to connect, learn and grow.
• Consider oversight and strategies at all system levels, utilise knowledge, skills, expertise in your system, and don’t duplicate efforts.
• Importantly, shout about your good work in order to encourage the sharing of good practice

Take home message

• Be able to do an ‘elevator pitch of your idea’ – be inclusive and consider equality impact to all stakeholders (prioritising patient care)

As an option we also include a second example (outlined below) which you can access in the form of a PDF at the bottom of the page.

Josep M Guiu is the Director of pharmacy at Consortium of Health and Social Care of Catalonia, Spain. In the attached PDF Josep explains their case, “Efficient implementation of CONTRAFluran^TM via Strategic procurement”. Josep M Guiu and Maria Colome, Consortium of Health and Social Care of Catalonia, Spain