Inhalants, which are administered to around 10 million people with chronic respiratory diseases in Germany, are an example of medication that has an impact on climate change. The metered dose inhalers frequently used here utilise propellants to transport the active ingredient into deep sections of the lungs. These are powerful greenhouse gases that have a very high global warming potential for the atmosphere. However, there are guidelines for the treatment of people with chronic respiratory diseases that show that, when used correctly, a therapy can achieve at least the same level of effectiveness, regardless of whether a metered dose inhaler or a powder inhaler is used.
PD Dr Guido Schmiemann, Department of Health Services Research at the IPP, is taking part in the development of an action plan for the climate-friendly prescription of inhalants on behalf of DEGAM. One of the aims of the action alliance is to implement the S2k guideline on climate-conscious prescribing of inhalants, of which Guido Schmiemann is one of the authors. The action alliance brings together institutions and organisations that are committed to climate protection in the supply of inhalants and at the same time promote the improvement of the quality and safety of care for patients.
The project was initiated by the umbrella organisation of the BKK and is organised by the German Alliance Climate Change and Health KLUG.
Further information:
https://www.klimawandel-gesundheit.de/aktionsbuendnis-inhalativa/
Contact:
PD Dr. Guido Schmiemann, MPH
Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research
Department of Health Services Research
Mail: schmiemann@uni-bremen.de
