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<p>The Sustainable Development Unit, a joint NHS England and Public Health England
unit, has established a cross sector working group on low carbon inhalers. A cross
system approach is now being developed into a system wide implementation plan, with
specific actions being delivered by individual members of the group. All actions are
supporting progress towards or to exceed the NHS Long Term Plan commitment on low
carbon inhalers. This will contribute to the overall National Health Service commitment
in the Long Term Plan to reduce carbon emissions in line with the UK Climate Change
Act.</p><p> </p><p>On 8 April 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
(NICE) published a patient decision aid to help people with asthma, alongside health
professionals, to identify which inhalers could meet their needs and control their
symptoms. Where several inhalers could be viable options, the decision aid helps clinicians
and patients choose the more environmentally friendly option, with a lower carbon
footprint. It is co-funded by the SDU.</p><p> </p><p>This is the first time NICE has
included climate change impacts in any guidance. The decision aid also highlights
the need for used devices to be returned to pharmacies for environmentally safe disposal.</p><p>
</p><p>A link to NICE’s decision aid can be found at the following link:</p><p><a
href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80/resources/inhalers-for-asthma-patient-decision-aid-pdf-6727144573"
target="_blank">https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80/resources/inhalers-for-asthma-patient-decision-aid-pdf-6727144573</a></p>
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