UK Doctors Advised to Limit Blue Inhaler Prescriptions Over Environmental and Health Concerns

New NHS guidelines recommend switching asthma patients to combination inhalers to reduce carbon emissions and improve treatment outcomes.

Blue inhalers, which use hydrofluorocarbon propellants, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 3% of the NHS's carbon footprint.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) now advises prescribing combination inhalers with corticosteroids to address asthma inflammation and prevent attacks.
Patients will receive information on the environmental impact of inhalers, with comparisons showing a single blue inhaler has a carbon footprint equivalent to a 75-mile petrol car journey.
Experts warn over-reliance on blue inhalers may mask worsening asthma symptoms and increase risks of severe attacks and hospitalizations.
Dry powder inhalers, which are gasless and environmentally friendly, are being suggested as an alternative for patients seeking to reduce their carbon impact.