GSK plans low-carbon asthma inhaler in bid to cut its greenhouse gas emissions

By Calum Muirhead

Updated: 22:12 GMT, 21 November 2023

Pharma giant GSK is planning to create a low-emission version of its Ventolin medicine

The humble asthma inhaler is set to be the latest casualty in the battle to cut greenhouse gases.

Pharma giant GSK is planning to create a low-emission version of its Ventolin medicine. That is because its Ventolin inhalers account for nearly half its total greenhouse gas output.

The FTSE 100 group said a research programme aiming to create a replacement was ready to move into Phase III clinical trials next year.

Ventolin, commonly packaged in a plastic blue inhaler, is used by around 35m patients around the world to treat various respiratory conditions including asthma. 

But the inhaler’s propellant, which delivers the medicine salbutamol into the lungs, is a key source of emissions.

The propellant contains chemicals known as hydrofluoroalkanes, which are safe for humans to inhale but are still considered a potent greenhouse gas.

A single inhaler with these chemicals will emit the equivalent of more than 4st of carbon dioxide over its lifetime, roughly the same as driving a petrol car 175 miles. 

By contrast, the new inhaler, which uses a different type of propellant, will reduce these emissions to an equivalent of just over 4lb of carbon dioxide.

GSK boss Emma Walmsley said: ‘As countries work to decarbonise their health systems, companies have an important role to play – and addressing the carbon emissions from inhalers is a key part of this.’

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GSK plans low-carbon asthma inhaler in bid to cut its greenhouse gas emissions

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