‘Recover and breathe’, respiratory device disposal project

Chiesi Italia launches ‘Recupera e Respira’, the first project in the European Union dedicated to the recovery and correct disposal of exhausted inhalers used for the treatment of respiratory diseases, thanks to an organized collection, in collaboration with all the local pharmacies of Friuli- Venezia Giulia, which avoids disposal in the unsorted urban garbage. ‘Recover and breathe’, which intends to protect the environment and limit the effect of the dispersion into the atmosphere of residues that can be harmful to the balance of the ecosystem and to human health, avails itself of the collaboration of Federfarma and Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region, the first Region to join the project. “The project is an integral part of a broader strategic plan in terms of sustainability – says Raffaello Innocenti, CEO of Chiesi Italia, the largest international biopharmaceutical group to have received the B Corp certification – The issues of sustainability have always been fundamental for I asked, and they express our willingness to actively take care of people, the community in which we operate and the environment. Consistent with the commitment to become Carbon Neutral by 2035 by eliminating its greenhouse gas emissions balance, the Chiesi Group has decided to invest around 350 million euros in a new production process for the production of spray inhalers (pMdi) with low-emission propellant, innovative and respectful of the environment “. “The launch of this innovative project in our Region is a source of pride for us – says Massimiliano Fedriga, president of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces – Friuli Venezia Giulia adheres with conviction to this virtuous partnership with the health supply chain, with the aim of encouraging the most correct and conscious approach on the side of waste collection and disposal “. The project, promoted by Chiesi Italia, was developed in partnership with Federfarma, the Federation that brings together over 18,000 private pharmacies from all over Italy. As underlined by Marco Cossolo, president of Federfarma, “the pharmacy is increasingly the local health center par excellence, a reference point for citizens on health issues. Pharmacists, as ‘drug professionals’, play a role central in raising awareness on environmental sustainability issues relating to the conscious use of drugs and their correct disposal. “The initiative also sees the patronage of Fimg (Italian Federation of Family Doctors), Snami (National Autonomous Union of Italian Doctors) and Fofi (Federation of Italian Pharmacist Orders), as well as the collaboration of Assinde and the EcoEridania Group. “This project, which I hope will soon be extended to other Regions, testifies to the great attention of the entire drug supply chain on the need for implement concrete actions to combat climate change and preserve the health of the planet for future generations – says Andrea Mandelli, president of Fofi. The contribution of the pharmacist, as a health professional closest to the citizen and by virtue of the relationship of trust with the community in which he operates, is essential both to raise awareness of the correct management of therapy and to promote the adoption of responsible behavior to safeguard the environment and health protection “. The initiative, thanks to the collaboration with Federfarma Friuli-Venezia Giulia, will involve the 408 territorial pharmacies of the region, which have made themselves available to collect the inhalers exhausted by patients. These will then be sent to the certified waste-to-energy plant of Spilimbergo in the province of Pordenone, so as to be able to dispose of the residual propellant as well, obtaining in addition a recovery of electricity. “Projects such as ‘Recupera e Respira’ testify to how much the collaboration between public and private can generate value for society – comments Giorgio Palù, president of Aifa – Even within institutions, we must become promoters of virtuous behaviors that can bring real benefit for people and, as in this case, for our planet “. “Inhalers are a fundamental aid, both for the drug share and for the technology used, for respiratory diseases such as, for example, BPCO (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a set of respiratory diseases that affect the lungs and bronchi and that affects about 3.5 million people in Italy, or like asthma and respiratory allergies that affect about 9 million people – explains Silvestro Scotti, national secretary of the Fimmg – It can therefore be easily understood, to reduce the environmental impact of a such a large number of inhalers if not disposed of correctly, what role can General Medicine play in a One Health approach of this type that can be amplified on our patients thanks to the relationship of trust “. “We have responded favorably to this innovative initiative in the panorama of environmental protection and recycling in the health sector – states Luca Degrassi, president of Federfarma Friuli-Venezia Giulia – We provide our professionalism and our widespread presence in the Region to support of this important initiative, which we trust will also be welcomed by citizens, the first to express their interest and commitment by bringing exhausted inhalers to pharmacies ”. The inhalers collected in pharmacies will be collected periodically by Assinde, a company set up by Farmindustria, Federfarma and Assofarm and by the associations of distribution companies Adf and Federfarma Servizi, with specialized operators, and sent for disposal in the certified waste-to-energy plant. “In Friuli-Venezia Giulia there is currently a state-of-the-art waste-to-energy plant capable of properly disposing of exhausted inhalers at a certified temperature of 1100 ° C – explains Maria Grazia Chimenti, general manager of Assinde – The collection and disposal operation with waste-to-energy, in addition to eliminating waste from the environment, also allows energy recovery, with the production of electricity to be fed into the production and distribution network. “The project also includes an integrated awareness and communication campaign, aimed at pharmacists and to patients, and another dedicated to Mmg and Specialists.