The primary care team in your practice are continually reviewing prescribing to provide patients with appropriate, high quality and cost-effective medications for their conditions. We are keen to ensure that all our patients receive the best quality treatment whilst making the best use of NHS resources available to us.

Recently there have been a number of new inhalers released onto the market and the local NHS inhaler guidance has been updated with some of these new products.

If you were previously prescribed Fostair® pMDI inhaler this combination inhaler has changed to Proxor® pMDI inhaler.

This product contains Beclometasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate. These inhalers are equivalent and contain exactly the same drugs at the same strength.  They are used in exactly the same way. If you currently use a spacer device you should continue to do so.

Proxor is now the preferred formulary inhaler as the medication is the same, but the inhaler is more cost effective for the NHS and has a lower carbon footprint 65.4g vs 93.7g CO2eq per puff.

For information on this product, please follow this link: https://proxor.co.uk/#

Inhalation technique for these types of inhalers is “SLOW and STEADY”.   To learn how to use your inhaler properly and better manage your respiratory symptoms, please view the technique resources available on the Asthma + Lung UK website here:  https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/inhaler-videos .

If you’re not sure what type of inhaler you have, please speak to your GP, respiratory nurse or pharmacist.

You should continue to take the same dose as advised by your doctor or nurse. Asthma is a condition that needs reviewed regularly even if you feel well, as a severe asthma attack can happen at any time without warning.  Please remember to attend your annual asthma review at your practice and take your inhalers with you.

However, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your practice and ask to speak with their respiratory nurse, your GP, or a pharmacist.