Toby Capstick highlights why healthcare professionals and patients need the new UK Inhaler Group standards.

Teaching correct inhaler technique has long been known to be key in the management of respiratory conditions; the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network asthma (BTS/SIGN, 2016) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (NICE, 2010) guidelines give almost identical advice to healthcare professionals; namely, that inhalers should be prescribed only after patients have received training in the use of the device, and have demonstrated satisfactory technique, which is repeated regularly thereafter. This recommendation is emphasised in the NICE asthma and COPD quality standards (NICE, 2013; 2016).