Switching respiratory patients to alternative, greener inhalers could achieve large carbon savings and reduce drug costs by using less expensive brands, reports a new study.

The least cost-effective inhaler device is the one that the patient cannot use. In deciding which device and drug formulation to prescribe healthcare professionals should first determine the patient’s ability to use the prescribed device correctly.

A series of instructional videos on good inhaler technique has been launched by Asthma UK.

A Respiratory Dashboard has been developed by a group of respiratory specialists established by the NHS Business Services Authority to highlight the variation in prescrib

Patients may accidentally inhale the mouthpiece of a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) or objects that have become trapped inside the device if it is not used or stored correctly, the medicines regulator has warned.

Every patient treated with a pressured metered dose inhaler (pMDI) should own and regularly use a spacer/valved holding chamber (VHC) concludes a new review.

The UK Inhaler Group (UKIG), which PCRS-UK is a member of, are working with Asthma UK to develop a comprehensive set of videos on correct inhaler technique. The videos would be available online and form a definitive, easily accessed resource for patients and healthcare professionals.

The UK Inhaler Group (UKIG), of which PCRS-UK is a member, is calling for an official ‘blue’ colour code convention to be introduced for inhaled reliever medications.

Deciding when to give rescue medication to a COPD patient for them to take if their symptoms deteriorate is an important part of the management of COPD.

This article, from our series of articles on Getting the Basics Right produced in the Spring 2016 (Issue 7) edition of Primary Care Respiratory Update provides simple steps and guidance on working with patients to ensure good inhaler technique.