Why the UN Just Made a Big Push for Inhaler Access—And What It Means for You

The United Nations General Assembly just took a major step that could transform respiratory care for millions of people worldwide. On December 15, 2025, they adopted a political declaration specifically calling for increased access to inhaled medicines for the 650 million children and adults living with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Why Are Inhalers So Hard to Get?

The numbers tell a stark story about global healthcare inequality. More than two-thirds of pharmacies and hospitals in low- and middle-income countries don't stock inhaled medicines—far below the global target of 80% facility availability. When these life-saving medications are available, they're often unaffordable for the families who need them most.

Chronic respiratory disease is now the third highest cause of death globally, with 4.4 million people dying each year, mostly from COPD and asthma. The economic impact is staggering too—a recent study estimated that the global economic burden from COPD alone will reach $40 trillion by 2050.

What Does Better Access Actually Look Like?

Brazil provides a powerful example of what happens when governments make inhalers accessible. When Brazil made inhalers free, household asthma costs plummeted from 29% of family income to just 2%, and hospitalization rates dropped from 90 per 100,000 people to 60 per 100,000.

The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) has outlined five key areas that need immediate attention to make inhaled medicines more accessible:

• Policy Changes: Including the latest evidence-based inhalers in global and national treatment guidelines, essential medicine lists, and universal health coverage reimbursement programs
• Product Availability: Improving access to recommended inhaled medicines through better registration processes, technology transfer, and participation in World Health Organization prequalification programs
• Price Reductions: Lowering inhaler costs through bulk purchasing, pooled procurement, tiered pricing for different income levels, and generic alternatives
• Primary Care Training: Increasing education for healthcare providers to properly diagnose and manage COPD and asthma, including better access to spirometry and peak flow measurement tools
• Patient Education: Investing in community awareness campaigns about COPD and asthma while reducing the stigma around using inhalers

What This Means for Your Family's Health?

"For too long, hundreds of millions of children and adults living with COPD and asthma have struggled without access to effective inhaled medicines," said Professor Guy Marks, President of FIRS and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. The UN declaration represents a commitment from governments worldwide to close these access gaps.

The timing is critical. Since 2000, the number of people living with chronic lung disease has risen by 27%, and deaths are forecast to double by 2050. While preventing disease through reduced smoking and cleaner air remains important, the political declaration acknowledges that hundreds of millions will continue to need proper treatment for existing conditions.

José Luis Castro, World Health Organization Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, called this "the end of the era of neglect for chronic respiratory diseases." With five years left to achieve global health targets, this declaration provides a foundation for rapid progress in making essential respiratory medicines available to everyone who needs them.