As an a person who suffers from asthma, I beginning to think the government hates us. First they ban the effective inhalers because it hurts the freaking ozone or something. Never mind the fact that it works best in delivering our meds, we should suffer for some stupid greenies. Now they are wanting me to stop Advair who works very well in stopping me from needing my emergency inhaler. Now they want me to take a steriod with it or instead? Pox on them and their households for all enternity. I’m allergic to steroids, they make me incredibly cranky and uncomfortable. I saw the stats. They’re worried about 3 in 10,000, so the rest of 9,997 of us should suffer?
I can’t think of anything else civil to say other than I wonder which Obama buddy owns stock in the other drugs they’ll be pushing?
I wonder how much nanny is too much nanny here. Shouldn’t the onus be on the doctor to be sure the right medicines are prescribed and that the patient is told what to do with them to minimize the chance of a fatal asthma attack?
This is an example of the nanny state squared.
The FDA in conjunction with the EPA over rode a medical exception for asthma inhalers using CFC propellants, and mandated new propellants. The producers of the new propellants spent millions to have NGO's such as the Lung Association, not advocate for asthmatics, but 'educate' about using the new inhalers properly.
The CFC inhalers were introduced IIRC the 1950's. They were for people with asthma somewhat like what insulin was for people for diabetes. Small sturdy canisters allowed a large number of asthmatics to lead normal/ near normal lives.
Steroid inhalers prevented asthma attacks, and minimized the nasty side affects of steroid medications. Emergency inhalers allowed asthmatics to go out in public, engage in sports, all knowing that relief from an unexpected exposure was a few puffs away. The canisters required no maintenance, and could be carried about in your pocket or purse, left in your glove compartment or desk drawer.
15,000 compounds were checked before the new HFA propellants were chosen. The FDA overrode its own safety testing and follow up procedures to rush release of the HFA propellants. Most tests were on animals. The only human testing was on a handful of people with very mild asthma. No testing was done on people with other lung diseases, e.g. emphysema.
The new HFA propellants require one to take deeper breathes that the CFC ones which automatically delivered medication deep into the lungs. Now remember this is for medication being taken by people who can't breathe well! (Do I need a sarcasm tag here?)
In addition, all but one of the new HFA inhalers include ethnol, a known asthma trigger for many. The ethanol is made from corn; many with asthma also have food allergies.
The new inhalers have a limited lifespan once the package is opened. They require maintenance because they are prone to clogging. (An interesting characteristic for 'emergency' inhalers.)
An array of various particulates are inhaled into the lung along with the medication because the new propellants are prone to corroding the seals inside the canister.
The new HFA inhalers work for some, don't work as well for many, and for people like me cause a massive asthma attack.
If I were to guess as to why so many people are routinely using inhalers with Long Acting Beta Antigonists, I would say part of the reason is the poor quality of the new HFA propellants has resulted in poor asthma control. (An interesting aside three of the medications listed are in powdered for, no HFA. I have met many with asthma who con't tolerate the new HFA propellants, and switched to Advair.)
The change to HFA propellants was all based on 'ozone hole' junk science. The powers that be have now decided the new HFA inhalers produce greenhouse gases, and are currently looking for a replacement for them.
For more info