Currently, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and asthma patients are often being treated using aerosol inhalers (pMDIs) that contribute to climate change and global warming. Contradictory, respiratory patients are extremely vulnerable to these changing conditions, as studies have shown that climate change, global warming and bad air quality have significant negative effects on their condition. It should thus not be the case that the medication they use to treat their condition, should have negative consequences for the climate.
To illustrate:
- 1°C rise = 6x death risk for respiratory patients
- Air pollution causes 4.2M respiratory deaths/year
- 83% of people in poor air quality areas report worsened lung conditions outdoor
- 88% of people in areas with poor air quality report that heatwaves/extreme weather exacerbates symptoms
For those patients, stopping climate change and improving air quality is very high on their priority list. We feel strongly that every patient thus should also have the possibility to use their medication with the lowest possible impact on the environment and climate.
Currently, the aerosol propellants used in inhalers (pressurised metered dose inhalers, pMDI) contribute to global warming, as propellants used in inhalers can be categorised as a greenhouse gas. Although their contribution to all global GHG emissions is only <0.1%, a decrease in this emissions can prove a significant emission improvement for the entire healthcare system. Knowing that globally 60% of inhalers sold are pMDIs, this can mean a significant reduction for the emissions of the healthcare system, comparable with the emissions of a small country like Croatia.
For this reason, Chiesi – an Italian bio-pharmaceutical company that is still 100% family owned, in 2019 already committed €350 million aimed at lowering the environmental impact its entire portfolio of pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs). This initiative explores replacing the current propellant (HFA 134a) with an alternative (HFA 152a), which is being studied for its potential to reduce the carbon footprint of pMDIs. The investment and its research targets a reduction of up to 90% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to current formulations, as part of Chiesi’s broader environmental goals. Chiesi continues to support Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) technology to provide patients with a variety of treatment options tailored to their individual needs
Phase III long-term safety trial for this investigational product is ongoing, building on earlier completed studies. Chiesi is on track in the development of its carbon minimal inhaler platform. Subsequent introduction in the UK & Europe is planned, pending regulatory approvals.
About Chiesi:
Chiesi is an international biopharmaceutical group, research-oriented, with almost 90 years of experience. Our headquarters is located in Parma, but we export in more than 100 countries, with a direct presence in 31. Globally, we employ more than 7.000 people and reach +3 billion in turnover. 24% of that turnover, is being reinvested in R&D.
Chiesi is very proud to hold the B-Corp certification, meaning its sustainability efforts are measured and assessed externally by the most ambitious global standards.