Conservation of the environment matters

The environment is a very talked about topic in recent decades and the change that is taking place in different aspects remains latent, from climate change to the depletion of natural resources such as water or oil.

Known Solutions

Recycling, reuse and recovery are key to the conservation of the environment, and the solution lies in the re-education of society.

For this reason, if we all create new habits and reduce what most may consider waste, it could slow down the changes that planet earth is currently undergoing.

Pharmaceuticals concerned about finding solutions

The Pharmaceutical Industry is also aware of the negative effects caused by drugs.

The causes apply to its production, as well as the devices and formats used for its use.

It is also related to the withdrawal of medications, either because the product is expired, as well as the waste that occurs when the doses available in said devices run out.

For this reason, the Pharmaceutical Strategy of the European Union joins the European Green Pact, whose objective is to achieve climate neutrality, and thus reduce the greenhouse effect.

Thus, pressurized cartridge inhalers (pMDI) have a negative effect on the greenhouse effect, since they contain hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) propellants.

The use of inhalers in Spain

In Spain, around 15 million units are sold and approximately 52% of the inhalers used are of this type, which is equivalent to around 400,000 tons of CO2 per year.
As far as we know, inhalers are mainly used for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Disease) and ASTHMA.
If you want to know more about these medicines, you can consult the CIMA Online Medicines Information Center of the AEMPS.

The Pharmaceutical industry cares the environment

Did you know that the carbon footprint can be reduced by up to 90% if these medications change?

The way to launch less polluting inhalers on the market is currently being studied.

Although at the moment, patients over 6 years of age or with inspiratory flow > 30 l/min can use dry powder or nebulized inhalers, provided that it is recommended by the specialist.

In conclusion, it is not recommended to change the inhaler, unless it is with a medical prescription

However, it cannot be changed in patients already treated and controlled with their pMDI inhalers, as it carries significant health risks, reducing the chances of improvement.

Therefore, the objective of the unit is, according to Pilar Giner, head of the Internal Medicine service at the San Cecilio Clinic.

“To offer specific dedication, care adjusted to the complexity of these diseases and a multidisciplinary approach to the patient”.

Medicine recycling

Sigre Point

The collection of these devices is considered essential to reduce the carbon footprint

The AIRE study has identified that many of the patients do not use the collection points enabled for the collection of devices that can no longer be used.

I´t means, that if patients were aware of the importance of proper environmental management, they would go to the SIGRE point, located in all pharmacies.

See this link for more information on the use of inhalers.

Conclusions

What measures are necessary to reduce the environmental impact?

In conclusion, the AEMPS recognizes the environmental impact of the use of inhalers and that educational measures are necessary to mitigate said impact.

In addition, all actions aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of pMDI inhalers must be carried out slowly, thoughtfully, and without endangering respiratory patients who need this type of inhaler for good control of their disease.

The AIRE study refers to the perceptive analysis of recycled inhalers, indicating the importance of taking these devices to the SIGRE point in pharmacies, for the management and collection of medicines and their correct recycling.

Therefore, as an additional environmental measure, it is necessary to raise awareness of the importance of proper environmental management of inhalers

So, it´s an essential measure to reduce the carbon footprint by eliminating them at the SIGRE point of pharmacies.

Source: Gobierno de España

La entrada The pharmaceutical industry in the environment se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.

The health of the planet is directly related to the health

A healthy planet provides us with our most basic needs

Fertile land for food production

Safe water to drink

Clean air to breathe

Global warming is degrading our planet’s life support system and threatening our ability to thrive and survive.

Furthermore, climate change is happening faster than previously thought and represents an urgent global crisis that requires a bold and united response.

In addition, it has been identified as the most important health threat of the century, but it is also the “greatest opportunity to redefine the social and environmental determinants of health”.

Everyone working in health and care must prepare to respond to the health impacts of the climate crisis.

The climate crisis has a major impact on health

Global temperatures are rising at a dizzying rate, driven by the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

These gases, the best known of which is carbon dioxide, are largely the result of burning fossil fuels.

On the other hand, temperatures continue to rise and are expected to exceed the threshold by 1.5 to 2 degrees.

For this reason, this will cause unprecedented changes in climate systems, with devastating impacts on human health and well-being.

The science is unequivocal; a global rise of 1.5°C above the pre-industrial average and continued biodiversity loss threaten catastrophic health damage that will be impossible to reverse.

Environmental pollution and its effects on patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major problem due to its high prevalence and morbidity and mortality, assuming a high socioeconomic cost.

The main causal agent of this disease is tobacco use.

Although other risk factors are currently recognized that can contribute to its development and favor its progression, such as environmental pollution.

One of the main mechanisms responsible for the adverse effects of pollution on respiratory health is oxidative stress.

Other deleterious effects of environmental pollution on the airways include inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, amplification of viral infections, and reduced mucociliary clearance.

Numerous studies have shown that air pollution plays a crucial role in the development of exacerbations suffered by COPD patients.

Pollution and the impact on respiratory health

Thus, various meta-analyses and systematic reviews have shown that there is an association between short-term exposure to various environmental pollutants.
In addition to the risk of exacerbations, hospital admissions and mortality from this disease.
On the other hand, in a recent study carried out in our country in which more than 160,000 patients were analyzed over a period of 10 years.

Doctor Javier de Miguel Díez from the Pneumology Service, at the Greogrio Marañón University Hospital in Madrid, concluded that the temperature and the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3) and particulate matter ( PM10), affected lung development.

On the other hand, they were significantly associated with hospital admissions for COPD exacerbation and in-hospital mortality.

Scientific and medical evidence

There is increasing evidence indicating that environmental pollution not only worsens the disease, but also contributes to reduced lung function in exposed individuals and increases the prevalence of COPD.
Air pollution has a significant impact on lung maturation and development.

However, it has been shown that long-term improvements in air quality can translate into a favorable effect on lung function parameters.

This reinforces the importance of implementing strategies aimed at reducing air pollution, to preserve lung health, prevent the development of COPD, and avoid worsening of patients who already suffer from this disease.

La entrada Pollution and respiratory health se publicó primero en Centro Andaluz Alfa-1.