Reducing the environmental impact of asthma and its treatment: findings from the SENTINEL pilot site

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Climate change represents a global health emergency. The NHS has committed to reduce the environmental impact of inhalers. Short-acting beta agonist (SABA) over-use in asthma is associated with patient and environmental harm. The SENTINEL Program aimed to identify and address SABA over-use through supported asthma guideline implementation, within 6 English primary care networks (PCNs). Pilot data shows reduced SABA use and fewer exacerbations post-implementation. <bold>Aim:</bold> Investigate the impact of the SENTINEL Program on the carbon footprint of asthma prescribing in its pilot PCN. <bold>Methods:</bold> Prescribing data were analysed for adult asthma patients (n=2,571) in the SENTINEL Program pilot PCN. The carbon footprint of asthma prescribing was assessed during 3 periods: 24-12 months pre-, 12-months pre-, and 12-months post-SENTINEL implementation. <bold>Results:</bold> The carbon footprint (CO2e) of asthma prescribing fell by 38% post-SENTINEL (Table 1), 85% of which was achieved through SABA reduction and 15% due to increased DPI use. SABA accounted for 65.5% of the carbon footprint of asthma prescribing 12-months pre- and 53.1% 12-months post-implementation. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> SENTINEL implementation reduced the carbon footprint of asthma prescribing. SABA was the largest contributor to asthma prescribing carbon emissions. Reducing SABA over-use in the SENTINEL Program pilot PCN may contribute to both patient and environmental gains. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA4746/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>