The device is small, but its environmental impact, significant.
The propellant gas in each salbutamol inhaler—which contains medicine used to treat pulmonary patients—produces as much pollution as a 300-kilometer drive.
To reduce the carbon footprint of the puffer, the JGH Pharmacy Green Committee, along with the Respiratory Therapy, Infection Prevention and Control and Sustainable Development teams, have partnered with students from McGill’s Bieler School of Environment to pilot a project reusing the inhalers on different patients, rather than the current, widespread practice of discarding them after use by a single patient.
As part of the new initiative, one salbutamol inhaler will now serve up to 50 patients. That comes with a savings of thousands of puffers otherwise wasted each year. In accordance with IPAC standards, the inhalers will be cleaned between patients with an approved wipe.
The project launched this week in the JGH Respiratory Physiology Lab and at the Mount Sinai Hospital, and if successful, will be deployed at other clinics and units at the JGH. This also marks a perfect opportunity to salute all our CIUSSS pharmacists on this World Pharmacist’s Day. With more than 70 pharmacists working across five CIUSSS sites, their expertise and dedication play a vital role in initiatives like this one—ensuring safe, effective, and sustainable medication practices for our patients.