Asthma Sufferers Will Soon Help the Ozone
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 05.17.06
As an asthma sufferer, you can imagine my surprise when I read in the New York Times that the medication I’m on is going to be phased out by the year 2008. Why? Because of a federally mandated shift due to its effect on the ozone. I have to admit I’m a little nervous about this shift, mainly because it’s already creating shortages due to a decline in the production of these “older” inhalers before the “new” ones are ramped up fully. And, because the new inhalers are covered by patents, this also means that they are going to cost more, say $30-$60 each as opposed to $5-$25. Now thankfully I do have health insurance so the latter might be less of a concern of mine, but asthma affects everyone, across all income levels and whether we have health insurance or not.
The products being phased out use chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) to propel the midst of medicine. This chemical has already been phased out of heavy-use applications like refrigeration and air conditioning, leaving inhalers (which once only accounted for 1% of CFC use) the major remaining application. GlaxoSmithKline and Schering-Plough, two major beneficiaries involved in the new medication, say that their patient-assistance programs for low-income people would provide the drug for those that couldn’t afford it. Glaxo also said that they would provide two million free inhalers a year, even after the CFC ones are gone. Ivax, which supplies about 30% of the generic CFC inhalers (which are less expensive), says it will no longer sell the product as of July 1st, yet makers of the new HFA inhalers are hesitant to increase production. “They say they fear they will not be able to sell the new products because generics will remain available for three more years,” the New York Times reports. Although it looks like these new inhalers will cost a bit more, I feel that I’ll spend the money if it means I’m helping to keep our environment healthy while being able to breathe in it. I just hope I’ll be able to get a refill when it comes time. Story and photo via ::The New York Times
oh, man. i'll be glad when my inhaler doesn't release cfcs, but that price hike is going to hurt a lot of people. especially since asthma disproportionally affects the poor.
Unless I'm missing something, changing what's in the compressed cylinder and changing the inhaler pump are two different things.
I'm pretty sure they could have kept the same inhaler design and removed the CFCs, thus keeping the prices close to what they are now. In this case, environmental protection sounds a bit like a convenient excuse for a price hike and a move to patented, proprietary technology.
I agree with MGR - I see no reason they couldn't just use a different propellant and leave everything else alone.
I would assume that it is the propellant that is patented
If I am not mistaken there is a patent on a C02 powered inhaler. MIght be by 3M. ONe factor in this is that CFC's as controlled substances can no longer be made but only sold as "recycled" and very expensive from the phase out tax. Recycled CFCs may not meet the FDA purity requirements.
I asked my allergist about the shortage this past week. If your inhaler is affected, your doctor can likely get the active agent compounded into drops at a compounding pharmacy until supplies even out again.
Too bad these new inhalers don't work as well! I used one for a week and went back to the pharmacy to demand the old kind. They need to come up with something that works before they take this one off the shelves. It's a scary thing when you can't breathe.