Asthma affects 1.1 million children and 4.3 million adults in the UK
NHS Grampian is looking to cut the £10m it spends on inhalers every year given the large amount of chest medication that is wasted.
Research has found that two out of 10 inhalers returned to north east pharmacies are completely unused with five in 10 not completely empty.
The board is now launching a campaign – Don’t Waste a Breath – to help people with respiratory conditions get the most use out of their inhalers.
Caroline Hind, deputy director of pharmacy for NHS Grampian, said that 90% of patients did not know how to use their inhalers properly.
Ms Hind added: “NHS Grampian spends £10m of prescribed inhalers alone every year.
“The fact that seven out of 10 returned inhalers still contained medication represents a large amount of wasted money.
“If we could save some of that money, we could reinvest it in other areas of healthcare to benefit patients.”
All those with an inhaler are being encouraged to visit their nearest pharmacist for an ‘inhaler technique’ check to make sure that medicine is reaching the lungs in the most effective way.
NHS Grampian seeks to save millions through better inhaler use
