New asthma inhalers by the end of 2008
People who take “inhalers” containing the medicine albuterol for asthma or other respiratory conditions will have to change their inhaler by the end of 2008.
Manufacturers are phasing out these inhalers which emit ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) to propel the medicine and they will be replaced by hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) inhalers.
But, it seems the transition is going to be a bit rough because the HFA inhalers are brand-name (not generic) and therefore cost more, the feel and technique of the medication is different than with CFC inhalers, and people haven’t been educated about the change:
CFC-free inhalers have been available for more than a decade. But four million to five million users have yet to switch, according to the consumer advocacy group Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics.
For one thing, the old inhalers cost much less — an average of $13.50, or one-third the price of a CFC-free inhaler, which uses propellants called HFAs, for hydrofluoroalkanes. (CFC inhalers are generic; HFA inhalers are brand-name.) People with asthma use an average of three or four inhalers a year, but some patients use one a month.
Moreover, the new and old inhalers differ in feel, force and taste, and how they are primed and cleaned. Advocates for people with asthma say doctors and patients have not been educated about the changes.
Unfortunately, the differences in the inhalers are leading people to believe their medications aren’t working and it’s even leading to people hoarding the CFC inhalers.
This got my attention because we have inhalers in this house. My daughter has asthma and I have to use the inhaler on occasion, myself.
I’m a nurse, and I’d never heard of this. My mother had several inhalers she used, and I know she would have panicked if she thought the medicine wasn’t working.
Hopefully, the FDA will step up efforts to educate people. If you’ve ever had to use this short-acting medicine when you can’t breathe, you know you don’t want to be surprised when you need it urgently, and it’s different from what you’re used to using.
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POSTED IN: Healthcare
2 opinions for New asthma inhalers by the end of 2008
midlife mommy
May 31, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I haven’t heard of this either. Guess I’ll be one of the hoarders (smile).
JayMonster
Jun 3, 2008 at 2:59 pm
We made this switch with our daughter’s inhaler some time ago. Fortunately, at a young age, she hasn’t quite grasped the ability to pre-judge it based on how she “thinks” it is supposed to work.
My biggest “issue” with this is the cost. CFC’s have been a known no-no for a long time, and in virtually all other products that have had to switch over, there is no “material” change in cost of the new products. So why in this case? Other than drug companies finding a new way to gouge consumers because of the “expense” of the switch. Some agency should step up an not allow this game to be played at the consumer’s expense.
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