Mark Sanders1, Alex Fynney2 & Darragh Murnane1
1University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
2Asthma + Lung UK, The White Chapel Building, 10 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 8QS, UK
Summary
Inhalers are critical tools in managing chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite their importance, studies consistently show that a significant proportion of patients fail to use inhalers correctly. Patients express a wide range of views; from misplaced certainty in their technique to the uncertainty manifest in the title. This document explores the multifaceted reasons behind this widespread issue from expert analysis and from patient feedback from participants in the ASSIST clinical study and respondents to the Asthma + Lung UK 2025 survey. The consequences of incorrect inhaler use, and potential strategies to improve patient adherence to proper inhaler techniques are discussed. Many technique improvement initiatives have, in isolation, been able to confer temporary improvement but sustained technique improvement must be a goal. The case is made for a task force to be created from experts, industry and patient associations to guide best practice in inhaler technique training.