Decision XXXVI/6: Developments regarding metered-dose inhalers with low-global-warming-potential propellants

The Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties,

Noting with appreciation the work done by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee, as reflected in the 2022 quadrennial report of the Panel[1] and the 2023 progress report of the Committee,[2] in relation to metered-dose inhalers,

Noting the range of issues and potential challenges identified by the Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee that could emerge in the transition away from high-global-warming-potential propellants currently used in pressurized metered-dose inhalers,

Recalling that the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is not prescriptive about which uses of hydrofluorocarbons parties should phase down first,

Recognizing that access to metered-dose inhalers represents a public health concern and should be preserved from critical shortages and abrupt price increases,

The Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties decides:

  1. To encourage parties to promote coordination between national environmental and health authorities on raising awareness of metered-dose inhaler propellants with low global warming potential and the availability of other alternatives, including their impact on climate and the environment, recognizing the need to ensure patient access to critical health remedies;
  2. To invite parties that produce metered-dose inhalers to submit to the Ozone Secretariat, on a voluntary basis, preferably by June 2025 or when it becomes available, any relevant information on progress in the development of metered-dose inhaler products using lower-global-warming-potential propellants, on the availability of other alternatives and on the implementation of lessons learned during previous metered-dose inhaler propellant transitions;
  3. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to continue to provide in its annual progress reports updated information on low-global-warming-potential metered-dose inhaler propellants and to complement its 2026 quadrennial assessment report with timely information, including on the availability, technical feasibility, economic viability, safety and market penetration of those propellants in parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and in parties not so doing;
  4. To encourage parties to revisit the issue, no later than 2027, in the light of updated information provided by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel in its 2026 quadrennial assessment report.

 

[1] United Nations Environment Programme, Technology and Economic Assessment Panel: 2022 Assessment Report (Nairobi, 2023).

[2] United Nations Environment Programme, Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee: 2022 Assessment Report (Nairobi, 2022).