The Sustainable Development Unit provided a case study detailing the effects of replacing MDI inhalers for asthma (containing HFCs) with dry powder inhalers. The dry powder inhalers have a significantly lower environmental impact whilst having a very similar cost of manufacture and no impact on health for the end users.

NEF Consulting calculated the net present value of the five year financial and carbon emissions savings, based on these results.

Case study source:

Healthy Returns – Production Reports

Financial

It is anticipated that there will be no financial savings associated with the move to dry powder inhalers. There is no concluded cost expectation in the Healthy Returns report, however, it is anticipated that some cost will be incurred. This has been assumed to be £1,000,000. An uptake rate of 25% has been assumed, therefore the carbon savings for the purpose of the MACC are £250,000.

Carbon

The carbon reduction per year has been quantified for Healthy Returns as 1,364,370 tCO₂e. An uptake rate of 25% has been assumed, therefore the carbon savings for the purpose of the MACC are 341,000 tCO₂e.

Assumptions

All inhalers currently MDI

25% suitable for replacement

Constant demand for inhalers (conservative assumption)

Costs of £1M associated with switching