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GSK is taking significant steps to eliminate any ozone depleting
impact arising from our processes, products and operations. We have
a target to eliminate use of ozone depleting compounds in refrigeration
and air conditioning equipment by substituting materials that do
not deplete ozone. We are also working to reduce the environmental
impact from the manufacture and use of our asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) medications.
Asthma medication and the environment
Asthma is a chronic and life threatening disease that affects 300
million people around the world. It is a disease of chronic inflammation
and bronchoconstriction with symptoms such as cough, wheezing and
chest tightness. Asthma prevalence is increasing. In developed countries
it currently affects 10% of children and 5% of adults. In developing
countries like Brazil, Peru and Uruguay the prevalence of asthma
is estimated to be between 20 and 30 percent of the population.
Asthma and COPD are linked to over 1,700 deaths per year in the
UK.
Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) are one of the main forms of treatment
for asthma. MDIs were first introduced in the 1950s. The MDI is
a pocket-sized, hand-held, pressurised multiple dose inhalation
system that can deliver a precise dose of medication to the airways
when used appropriately. Essential components of an MDI are a canister,
the drug substance, a gas to propel the drug into the patient and
a device for releasing and directing the dose.
For decades, CFCs were the most suitable propellant for use in
MDIs because they are non-toxic, non-reactive, non-flammable, odour
and taste free and excellent solvents. However, CFCs have now been
recognised as ozone depleting and global warming gases.
In recognition of their importance in the fight against asthma
and COPD, the production of CFCs to manufacture MDIs in the developed
world has been deemed as an 'essential use' under the Montreal Protocol,
until adequate alternatives to CFC-containing medications are available.
Each year GlaxoSmithKline applies for volumes of CFC to be used
to manufacture our MDIs under this 'essential use' exemption. GSK's
requested volumes have recently been declining each year and GSK
will soon no longer need to request any essential-use volumes. GSK
takes the issue of ozone depletion seriously and supports the objectives
of the Montreal Protocol. We believe that the Parties to the Protocol
should now move to adopt a decision that, with due notice, phases
down and closes the essential use exemption for MDIs for developed
countries. Such a Protocol decision should include strong interim
measures to significantly reduce volumes of CFCs used for MDI manufacture
after 2005.
GSK offers a wide range of options for the treatment of respiratory
disease including MDIs, dry powder devices and liquids for use in
nebulisers. We have done extensive research into developing replacements
for the CFC propellants and have reformulated the majority of our
MDI products to use the non-ozone depleting gas HFC 134a. In 2002
GSK manufactured over one hundred million non-CFC MDIs and launched
our first non-CFC MDI in the US namely, CFC-free Ventolin.
GSK is taking steps to reduce the ozone depleting impact arising
from our processes, products and operations by:
- Reformulating the propellant in the MDIs from CFCs to HFC 134a,
a non-ozone depleting replacement.
- Minimising emissions arising from MDIs rejected during the manufacturing
stage in accordance with national standards.
- Launching globally the non-CFC MDI as soon as possible after
obtaining regulatory approval.
- Removing the corresponding CFC product from the market within
6-12 months of launch depending on individual country health practices.
- Offering a choice of an MDI or DPI (dry powder inhaler) device
for our respiratory drugs.
- Continuing to invest in research & development of novel inhaler
devices with even lower environmental impacts.
- Minimising fugitive emissions of CFCs and other ozone depleting
gases from our manufacturing sites through engineering controls
and replacing halons (fire fighting gases) and refrigerants.
GSK also takes the issue of climate change seriously and supports
the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol. Although some uncertainties
remain, we believe that the potential global significance of climate
change is too serious to ignore and that, under the precautionary
principle, it warrants a measured global response. Even though the
HFC 134a MDI propellant is a recognised greenhouse gas, GSK believes
that in the interests of public health, as there is no real alternative
for many active ingredients, the small and critically important
medical use of HFCs in MDIs deserves special safeguards in international
and national climate change strategies.
However, we will continue to pursue options that employ compounds
that don't have an adverse impact to the environment.
Read about our management of ozone depleting
substances
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