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GP has said I need to switch from Fostair to Luforbec as it’s cheaper - anyone else?

Starlight1987 profile image
7 Replies

Currently on Fostair 100/6. It’s working perfectly. GP wants to try me on Fostair NEXThaler dry powder inhaler to save plastics and gas emissions. They said if I don’t like it and want to go back to Fostair I need to switch to lufoerbec as it’s cheaper. Slightly concerned as I’m happy with what I am on. I understand the environment concerns but not sure targeting asthma medication is going to move the needle on a global scale with everything else going on.

Anyone else?

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Starlight1987 profile image
Starlight1987
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7 Replies
Poobah profile image
Poobah

It's a NHS wide protocol to move patients onto more environmentally friendly inhalers. According to the NHS's own comparison chart, Luforbec has a High carbon footprint, as does Fostair. I attach the relevant section of the current chart.

I've found the Fostair NEXThaler a very good design and easy to use. Just down to a change in technique from aerosol inhalers, but the particles are fine and easily inhaled. It has a low carbon footprint.

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MMBJI profile image
MMBJI

Hi,

I switched from Fostair aerosol to the Nexthaler- it’s been fine for me .

Oldest child was switched to Luforbec- no problems at all.

I was very concerned about the changes since we did not get on with changing from Ventolin to Salamol- had to push to be swapped back. But we have been fine .

DannyQ profile image
DannyQ

Hi well my nurse tried this with me moving me over from Fostsir to Lubfec but I explained that in 27years fostair had been the game changer for me, so moving me onto a generic to save money is not the way to go and your wanting to change me over to save money is also not the way to go as its possibly messing with my health all to save money is ethically wrong. Hence to say I'm still on Fostair so if your happy I would advise you to stick to your guns on wanting to stay on Fostair .

I hope this helps

bikerider00 profile image
bikerider00

I wasn't 'moved' to it from another inhaler, but instead was put straight onto it as I recall. Its worked well for me. In fact I decided later to move to dry powder replacement for my Salbutamol because of the eco issues. That was also fine, although I'll be honest I wanted to go back simply because of the shelf life issues once you open the packets: my emergency inhalers were in things like rucsac and bicycle saddle bags, and were rarely used and therefore likely to be expired when I did need them.

Clearly you shouldn't compromise health. But to the question of whether it's trivial or not: surprisingly it's not trivial, partly because the propellant is such a powerful GHouse gas. I was told that inhalers accounted for something like 3 or 4% of the NHS's carbon equivalent footprint. Which I find astonishing. So not trivial.

Good luck

Starlight1987 profile image
Starlight1987

My prescription for Fostair says CFC free inhaler so I wonder why it’s considered bad for the environment if it doesn’t contain CFC gases anyways

Poobah profile image
Poobah in reply toStarlight1987

The inhalers are now CFC free as they use HSA gases (Hydrofluoroalkanes). These HSAs still have a carbon footprint, albeit less than CFCs, but some are still considered to have a high carbon footprint. Only dry powder inhalers are free of gases.

Madbiker1 profile image
Madbiker1

I was put on Luforbec without being asked. It made me cough - a lot. I now am back on Fostair but the powder.Apparently it makes a lot of users cough - the nurse told me this. Which is no good if you are asthmatic.

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