A new low-carbon version of the Trixeo Aerosphere inhaler has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and will be available in the UK later this year.
The triple combination inhaler for adults with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) replaces the propellant HFA-134a with HFO-1234ze(E) – a fluorinated gas with near-zero global warming potential.
The MHRA said it was the ‘world’s first’ low-carbon version of the Trixeo Aerosphere inhaler and supports the transition to inhalers with a lower carbon footprint.
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Currently, pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) contribute significantly to carbon emissions in the NHS due to their use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) propellants, potent greenhouse gases which contribute significantly to global warming.
Inhaler emissions account for approximately 3% of the NHS carbon footprint and the propellant used in metered dose inhalers is responsible for most of these emissions, according to NHS England.
Julian Beach, MHRA interim executive director, Healthcare Quality and Access, said, ‘This approval supports the continued availability of a widely used COPD treatment while enabling a transition to inhalers with a lower carbon footprint – without compromising on safety, quality or clinical benefit.’
No changes have been made to the active ingredients, recommended dose or clinical use and it is expected to become available in the UK in the second half of 2025.
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In the meantime, the current version of Trixeo Aerosphere will continue to be available to patients.
Trixeo Aerosphere, manufactured by AstraZeneca, is used twice daily as a long-term maintenance treatment to make breathing easier and improve symptoms of COPD such as shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. It can also prevent flare-ups of COPD.
Karin Smyth, minister of state for health, said: ‘With 1.2 million people using inhalers in the UK, there is no doubt about the impact they have on the environment.
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‘This is another example of the UK being at the forefront of delivering innovative, environmentally friendly and top-quality medicines that will benefit patients across the UK. Through our Plan for Change, we will lower our carbon footprint in our mission towards Net Zero and rebuild our NHS.’
Tom Keith-Roach, president at AstraZeneca UK added: ‘The UK approval of Trixeo Aerosphere with the near-zero global warming potential propellant marks a world first and an important step in improving the environmental impact of our portfolio of inhaled respiratory medicines to support the NHS in achieving its net zero carbon goals. Trixeo with our next-generation propellant allows us to address the needs of both patients and the planet.’
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