[Do patients deliver inhalers correctly? The AIRE project].

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Public Health

Background:

• Inhaler use is widespread for respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD.
• Proper disposal of inhalers is crucial for environmental protection and resource recovery.
• Patient knowledge and attitudes towards inhaler disposal significantly impact recycling rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate user knowledge and attitudes regarding inhaler disposal methods.
• To assess user opinions on the adoption of reusable inhaler systems.
• To identify barriers to effective inhaler recycling programs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, multi-center opinion survey was conducted.
• An ad hoc questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to inhaler use and disposal.
• Data were collected on inhaler usage patterns and recycling practices.

Main Results:

• 303 patients (mean age 57.5 years) participated, with pressurized metered-dose inhalers being most common.
• Users highly valued inhaler recycling and the concept of rechargeable inhalers.
• Only 33% of users received disposal information from healthcare professionals, and 42.9% utilized pharmacy collection points (SIGRE).

Conclusions:

• Despite positive attitudes towards recycling, a significant gap exists in user knowledge and practice regarding inhaler disposal.
• Lack of information on proper disposal locations and post-disposal processes hinders recycling efforts.
• Targeted information campaigns are essential to improve inhaler recycling rates and promote sustainable practices.