Lupin Healthcare, the UK-based wholly owned subsidiary of Lupin Limited (Lupin), has announced that Luforbec (beclomethasone / formoterol) 100/6 pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) for the treatment of adult asthma and symptomatic treatment of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (FEV1 <50% predicted normal) is carbon neutral certified.
A cradle to grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been completed by Carbon Footprint Ltd
to quantify the carbon footprint of Luforbec. This assessment included the manufacture,
distribution, use and disposal of the product. Lupin Healthcare has offset all carbon emissions associated with this inhaler, which was comparable to that of Fostair 100/6 pMDI, enabling Luforbec 100/6 pMDI to become the first carbon neutral pMDI available in the UK market. This marks an important milestone in Lupin Healthcare’s journey to a sustainable future.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) highlights that some inhalers
have a much higher carbon footprint than others, yet recommends patients should be able to choose the inhaler they find easiest to use. It is important to prescribe the right treatment for the right patient to ensure their condition is well managed. Carbon neutral Luforbec will allow those patients optimally managed on a pMDI to use an inhaler with both a neutral carbon footprint alongside potential cost savings to the NHS. Prescribing Luforbec 100/6 pMDI by brand can release NHS list price savings of 30% vs Fostair® 100/6 pMDI. These savings are equivalent to £8.80 per pack.
In the UK, around 5.4 million people are currently receiving treatment for asthma, and an
estimated 1.2 million people are living with COPD. Across England, Wales and Scotland
61.1 million inhaler items are prescribed annually with a total carbon footprint of 1.3 billion kg of CO2e.
“Achieving carbon neutrality for Luforbec through Lupin Healthcare’s carbon offsetting
programme directly signals our dedication to supporting the NHS Green Agenda by providing healthcare professionals and their patients with a sustainable and cost-effective pMDI treatment option from today. We understand the urgency and scale of NHS environmental sustainability requires ongoing effort and constant innovation and this is the first step for Lupin Healthcare UK as we continue our journey towards net zero,” said Ben Ellis, general manager, Lupin Healthcare UK.
In October 2020, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) approved an ambitious new strategy to become the world’s first national health service to agree net zero emissions
commitments as part of the global effort to tackle climate change. Lupin Healthcare is
supporting this ambition by not only reducing its respiratory carbon footprint and achieving
carbon neutral certification for Luforbec but also committed to greener technologies for its
inhalation portfolio. In addition to focusing on Luforbec, Lupin Healthcare is assessing its
carbon footprint as an organisation in order to effectively plan the reduction of its emissions.
