Smartinhaler for asthma

Equality considerations

NICE is committed to promoting equality, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others. In producing guidance and advice, NICE aims to comply fully with all legal obligations to: promote race and disability equality and equality of opportunity between men and women, eliminate unlawful discrimination on grounds of race, disability, age, sex, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity (including women post-delivery), sexual orientation, and religion or belief (these are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010).

Smartinhaler devices are intended to improve the quality of life for people with asthma. Severe asthma which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities is considered a disability. Adherence may be a bigger issue for children and adolescents. Disability and age are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.