This analysis was based on a study into “the economic cost and carbon burden of long acting injections” by Dr Daniel L Maughan; Dr Rob Lillywhite and Professor Matthew Cooke and provided by http://sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/.
The case study “explores the economic cost and carbon footprint associated with current patterns of prescribing long term Flupentixol Decanoate long acting injections.” It found that: “Around £300,000 could be saved across England by improving prescribing behaviour, and as much as 170 tonnes CO2e could be saved. Most of this carbon is attributable to the carbon footprint of the appointment; 88 tonnes CO2e (including energy use and materials used) and the over-prescribing of medication, 66 tonnes CO2e.”
Case study source:
NHS (ref: Daniel Maughan, Centre for Sustainable Healthcare)
Healthy Returns – Production Reports
Calculations
Financial Savings
Annual financial savings consist of £152,935 through medication, £1,631 through needle and syringe costs, £128,250 of appointment costs and £14,310 from travel amounting to £297,126 of financial savings per annum.
Carbon Savings
Annual carbon savings consist of 65,762 kgCO2 through medication, 110 kgCO2 through needle and syringe costs, 87,750 kgCO2 of appointment costs and 12,623 kgCO2 from travel amounting to 166,245 kgCO2 of financial savings per annum.
Assumptions
No adverse reactions from 4 week injections