FDA May Phase Out Certain Asthma Inhalers

[CShine]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is asking asthma patients and doctors for help in deciding if it is time to gradually pull off the market certain asthma inhalers that pollute the environment. Older asthma inhalers use CFCs, the chlorofluorocarbons that deplete the ozone layer. An international treaty requires that they be phased out once suitable alternatives are available. Two CFC-free inhalers containing the popular asthma medicine albuterol, a bronchodilator, are on the market.

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday proposed gradually phasing out the four other albuterol inhalers sold that use CFCs. Because albuterol can be lifesaving for patients with asthma and certain other lung diseases, the FDA wants to hear from the public if those two alternatives are adequate before it makes a final decision next summer on how soon CFC-containing albuterol could be phased out.

Among the questions are whether patients think the CFC-free versions perform as well, said the FDA's Dr. Robert Meyer. The agency has tentatively concluded that they do. The two CFC-free inhalers, Proventil HFA and Ventolin HFA, make up only about 7 percent of the albuterol market, and production would have to increase, Meyer noted. They cost at least $10 more than generic albuterol inhalers and generic CFC-free versions may not be possible until 2010 or later, he said.

The FDA planned to begin soliciting opinion Thursday at a meeting of its independent scientific advisers. The public has 60 days to submit comments as well.

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/ASTHMA_CFCS?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[flamingyouth]

1. I have asthma and I think this would be a great idea

To be honest, I didn't know there were CFC-free forms of albuterol. I have to go in for a check up next week, so I will ask my doctor to give me one of them. I hope my insurance will pay for it!

[HuckleB]

5. As long as the people who need it can still get it, it's great.

If those who need it are priced out of this necessary medication, I worry that this may cause some very unnecessary deaths.

[flamingyouth]

6. I agree

I have to pay 50% of my meds, and I'm on Advair, which is very expensive. With asthma so predominant in inner cities and among low-income people, this is a huge concern.

[KareBear]

2. I tried these a year or two ago

and they did not work nearly as well as the older type of inhalers do. I did not feel that it propelled the medicine far enough into my lungs. Maybe they have improved on the non CFC version since then, I hope so!

[flamingyouth]

4. Interesting - good to know

I'm going to ask my doctor if she has a sample of one of them for me to try. :hi:

[truthisfreedom]

3. so what do they use instead of CFCs as the propellant? laughing gas?

i'm not kidding here... CFC propellant is the very stuff that was warned about on labels and nitrous oxide isused as a propellant in whipping cream such as Reddi-Whip.

[David__77]

7. Hmm... I'm wary.

The ones I have used are effective. I would like to see the new ones and assess them.