The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a new inhaler for asthma patients, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of inhalers while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
The new device is the world’s first pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) to use a new-generation propellant that has less impact on the climate.
The MHRA has announced its approval of new versions of the Clenil Modulite inhaler containing the active ingredient beclomethasone dipropionate, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the airways.
The new versions are available in two strengths, 100 micrograms and 200 micrograms, and are used to treat asthma in adults and children. The active ingredient, recommended dosages, and therapeutic uses remain unchanged from the current versions, and studies submitted to the FDA indicate that the new devices provide the same therapeutic efficacy and the same levels of quality and safety.
The new device features the use of HFA-152a propellant, a material that helps deliver medication from the inhaler to the lungs but is not part of the treatment itself. This material is a more environmentally friendly alternative to previously used propellants, and it can reduce the carbon footprint of inhalers by up to 90%.
New versions of the Clinil Modulite device are scheduled to be released in the UK during 2026, and until then patients will be able to continue using the devices currently available on the instructions of their doctors.
Julian Beech, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said that patient safety and the provision of safe, effective, and high-quality medicines are a priority for the agency, noting that the approval of the new device demonstrates the possibility of combining the development of patient care with support for environmental sustainability.
He added that the authority will continue to monitor the safety and effectiveness of the drug after it is released to the market, as it does with all medicines and medical products.
Beclomethasone inhalers work to prevent and control asthma symptoms when used regularly, as the active ingredient helps reduce inflammation in the airways. Common side effects of this type of treatment include oral candidiasis, hoarseness, and throat irritation.
The agency urged patients who suspect they are experiencing side effects to contact their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Asthma affects the airways inside the lungs, and its most prominent symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
