A CUTTING edge pharmaceutical company is celebrating after investing in new technology to help millions of people to ‘breathe more easily’.

Bespak, formerly Recipharm, is a world leader in the production of eco-friendly inhalers.

MP Fiona Bruce visited their Holmes Chapel manufacturing site to see how the firm is striving to lower the industry’s environmental footprint.

READ > Zoo2U couple renew bid to open community zoo and conservation park

The London Road facility specialises in the manufacturing of metered dose inhalers, dry power inhalers and nasal sprays.

The site is one of three for this contract development and manufacturing organisation, leading the way for climate friendly inhaled and nasal drug-device combination products.

Mrs Bruce cut a ribbon as the company unveiled the production of low global warming potential (GWP) inhalers alongside partnering sites in Kings Lynn and North Carolina, USA.

Until now, inhalers have used propellants that are classified as a greenhouse gas.

Jeremy Tidmarsh, site director at Bespak Holmes Chapel, said: “As a site we are driven by our mission to help millions of patients to breathe more easily.

“We are committed to leading the transition to low GWP propellants in pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs).

“In making this investment we become the only pharmaceutical site in the world to have the capability to manufacture at scale with both of the new green propellant options available to the pharmaceutical industry.

“With our team of experts enabling us to develop and manufacture greener pMDIs, our customers can be confident they are in safe hands as they make the transition to sustainable inhalers.”

Approximately three per cent of the NHS carbon footprint is on account inhaler emissions, which is more than the health service’s travel emissions.

This is approximately 13 per cent of the NHS's carbon footprint related to the delivery of care.

Bespak is leading the transition to low GWP inhalers, becoming the first manufacturer to produce near zero global warming potential propellant at a commercial scale.

The company has also recently announced a significant further investment in manufacturing capacity at its Holmes Chapel site, from which it manufactures inhalers for global pharmaceutical companies.

The next stage of an extensive expansion plan will enable the installation of commercial scale and pilot scale filling lines for the manufacture of inhalers using a propellant with a significantly lower GWP than currently used propellants.

Mrs Bruce said: “I was delighted to hear of the innovative work of Bespak at Holmes Chapel.

“I’m proud that such a critical health product is being developed here for a worldwide market.

“As a key local employer for the Congleton constituency it is hugely encouraging to hear of the globally leading role Bespak is playing in the key transition to supplying lifesaving greener inhalers.”